Overview
The Tennessee Valley Authority Environmental Research Center in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, is an operational stormwater outfall facility managing runoff from industrial and research activities. It operates under US EPA NPDES MS4 permit regulations.
The Tennessee Valley Authority Environmental Research Center (TVA ERC) is a stormwater outfall facility located at 1010 Reservation Road in Muscle Shoals, Colbert County, Alabama. As part of the Tennessee Valley Authority's network, this facility manages stormwater runoff from the research center and surrounding industrial areas, contributing to local water quality management in the Tennessee River watershed. The facility operates under the US EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit framework, which governs stormwater discharges from industrial and municipal sources. While specific discharge volumes are not detailed, the facility's NAICS codes (237990, 325320, 541715, 561110, 924120) indicate involvement in heavy construction, pesticide manufacturing, research and development, and environmental management, suggesting a complex industrial catchment. The TVA ERC plays a key role in managing stormwater quality in the Muscle Shoals area, a region with significant industrial and research activity. Proper stormwater management helps protect the Tennessee River and its tributaries from pollutants associated with industrial runoff, supporting local ecosystem health and compliance with Clean Water Act requirements.
Environmental context
The facility is located in the Tennessee River watershed, a major waterway in the southeastern United States that supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and provides drinking water for millions. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent rainfall, increasing the potential for stormwater runoff to carry pollutants from industrial and research activities. Effective stormwater management is critical to prevent contamination of the Tennessee River and its tributaries, which are subject to Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements for pollutants like sediment and nutrients.
Frequently asked questions
The facility is located at 1010 Reservation Road in Muscle Shoals, Colbert County, Alabama, United States.
It manages stormwater runoff from the TVA research center and surrounding industrial areas, discharging treated or managed stormwater in compliance with NPDES MS4 permits to protect local water quality.
The facility operates under the US EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program, as required by the Clean Water Act.
Muscle Shoals is in the Tennessee River watershed, where stormwater runoff from industrial and research activities can carry pollutants. Proper management helps protect aquatic habitats and drinking water sources.
The facility's NAICS codes indicate activities including heavy construction, pesticide manufacturing, research and development, and environmental management, all of which can generate stormwater runoff requiring treatment.
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