Wortham Pit Stormwater Outfall, Newell, Alabama | Industrial Runoff Management

Wortham Pit is a stormwater outfall facility located at 1410 County Road 66 in Newell, Alabama, within Randolph County. As a stormwater outfall, it manages the discharge of stormwater runoff from the surrounding area, which includes both urban and industrial catchments. The facility is operational and plays a role in local stormwater management under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act and EPA NPDES MS4 permits. The facility's NAICS codes (212399 and 238910) indicate involvement in nonmetallic mineral mining and site preparation activities, suggesting the outfall may serve an industrial catchment. Stormwater outfalls in such contexts are designed to control runoff quality and quantity, often requiring permits under the NPDES program for industrial activities. The facility's scale is typical for a small to medium outfall serving a localized area. Environmental significance lies in its potential to discharge into nearby water bodies, which may be impaired or sensitive. Proper management of stormwater from industrial sites is critical to prevent pollutants like sediment and chemicals from entering waterways. The facility's compliance with NPDES permit conditions helps protect local water quality and aquatic ecosystems in the region.

The facility is located in a region with mixed land use, including industrial activities such as mining and site preparation. Stormwater runoff from these areas can carry sediments, metals, and other pollutants, potentially impacting local streams and rivers. Alabama's water bodies are subject to EPA regulations under the Clean Water Act, and stormwater outfalls must comply with NPDES permit requirements to minimize environmental harm. The ecological health of downstream waters depends on effective stormwater management at this outfall.