Overview
WESTERN EXPRESS is a stormwater outfall in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It operates under the EPA NPDES MS4 permit framework for stormwater management.
WESTERN EXPRESS is a stormwater outfall located at 317 Ave W in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. As a stormwater outfall, it serves as a discharge point for stormwater runoff from the surrounding urban catchment, which includes industrial and residential areas. The facility is operational and falls under the regulatory oversight of the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program, which governs stormwater discharges in urbanized areas. In Alabama, stormwater management is primarily regulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) under delegated authority from the EPA. The facility's NAICS code 811191 indicates an automotive repair and maintenance context, suggesting that the outfall may receive runoff from industrial or commercial activities. Typical stormwater outfalls in this region are designed to convey runoff to local water bodies, with permit requirements including pollution prevention plans and monitoring for pollutants. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in managing urban runoff in Birmingham, a city with a history of industrial activity. Proper operation helps reduce the impact of pollutants such as sediment, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons on receiving waters, which may include tributaries of the Black Warrior River. The facility contributes to local flood control and water quality protection under the Clean Water Act.
Environmental context
Birmingham, Alabama, has a humid subtropical climate with frequent rainfall, making stormwater management critical for flood control and water quality. The outfall likely discharges to a water body that may be impaired by urban runoff, including pollutants from industrial and transportation sources. Under the EPA NPDES MS4 program, the facility must implement best management practices to reduce pollutant loads and protect downstream ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
The WESTERN EXPRESS stormwater outfall is located at 317 Ave W, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, United States, with coordinates 33.531944 N, -86.878056 W.
It is a stormwater outfall that discharges urban runoff from the Birmingham area, including potential industrial and commercial sources, into local waterways.
The outfall operates under the US EPA NPDES MS4 permit program, which requires stormwater management plans and pollution prevention measures to protect water quality.
The Clean Water Act mandates that stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) must be regulated under NPDES permits to reduce pollutants to the maximum extent practicable.
Urban stormwater runoff can carry pollutants like sediment, oil, and heavy metals into water bodies, affecting aquatic life and water quality. Proper management helps mitigate these impacts.
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