THORNTON IRON AND METAL CO. Stormwater Outfall, Town Creek, Alabama

THORNTON IRON AND METAL CO. is a stormwater outfall located at 135 Water Street in Town Creek, Lawrence County, Alabama, United States. The facility is operational and serves as a point of discharge for stormwater runoff from an industrial site, classified under NAICS 423930 for recyclable material wholesaling. As a stormwater outfall, this facility is subject to the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program, specifically under the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial activities. The Clean Water Act requires such outfalls to implement best management practices (BMPs) to control pollutants in stormwater discharges. The facility's location in Alabama places it within Region 4 of the EPA, which oversees compliance with stormwater regulations. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its potential to affect local water quality in the Tennessee River watershed, as Town Creek is near the river. Proper management of stormwater from industrial sites like this one is critical to prevent contamination from metals, oils, and other pollutants. The facility's role in the community involves managing runoff from a metal recycling operation, which requires diligent monitoring and maintenance to meet regulatory standards.

The outfall is located in Town Creek, Alabama, within the Tennessee River basin. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with significant rainfall, making stormwater management crucial to prevent flooding and pollutant transport. Industrial stormwater discharges, such as from metal recycling facilities, can introduce heavy metals and suspended solids into receiving waters if not properly controlled. The facility operates under the NPDES MSGP, which requires compliance with effluent limits and monitoring to protect aquatic ecosystems and downstream water uses.