An outfall is the discharge point of a waste stream into a body of water; alternatively it may be the outlet of a river, drain or a sewer where it discharges into the sea, a lake or ocean.
United States of America
In the United States, industrial facilities that discharge storm water which was exposed to industrial activities at the site are required to have a multi-sector general permit.[2] Issuing permits for storm water is delegated to the individual states that are authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Facilities that apply for a permit must specify the number of outfalls at the site. According to the EPA's Multi-Sector General Permit For Stormwater Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity, outfalls are locations where the stormwater exits the facility, including pipes, ditches, swales, and other structures that transport stormwater. If there is more than one outfall present, measure at the primary outfall (i.e., the outfall with the largest volume of stormwater discharge associated with industrial activity).[3]
Outfall from a sewage plant discharging to Passaic River in New Jersey
Outfalls from sewage plants can be up to 20 feet (6.1 m) in diameter and release 4,000 US gallons per second (55,000 m3/h) of treated human waste miles from the shore.
A wastewater treatment system discharges treated effluent to a water body from an outfall. An ocean outfall may be conveyed several miles offshore, to discharge by nozzles at the end of a spreader or T-shaped structure. Outfalls may also be constructed as an outfall tunnel or subsea tunnel and discharge effluent to the ocean via one or more marine risers with nozzles.
