What is an outfall in stormwater management?

An outfall in stormwater management refers to the specific location where stormwater runoff is discharged from a facility into a natural body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. This term is crucial because it identifies the endpoint of a stormwater system where flow is released into the environment. Understanding the concept of an outfall is vital for managing water quality since discharges can contain pollutants that affect aquatic ecosystems. It also plays a significant role in regulatory compliance as facilities must monitor and manage discharges to prevent negative impacts on water bodies.

Identifying the outfall location is also critical for permitting processes and ensuring that best management practices are in place to mitigate potential environmental harm. This makes the understanding of what an outfall is and its role in stormwater management essential for someone involved in industrial stormwater operations.