FORTIS PLASTICS,INC. Stormwater Outfall in Fort Smith, Arkansas

FORTIS PLASTICS,INC. is a stormwater outfall located at 428 South U Street in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas. This facility manages industrial stormwater runoff from a plastics manufacturing operation, classified under NAICS code 337215 (Showcase, Partition, Shelving, and Locker Manufacturing). As an operational outfall, it is part of the regulated stormwater infrastructure in the United States. The facility operates under the US EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) framework, specifically under MS4 permits for industrial stormwater discharges. In Arkansas, such outfalls are typically permitted under the state's NPDES program administered by the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment. The site's catchment is industrial, with potential pollutants including sediment, oils, and chemicals from plastics processing. As a stormwater outfall in an urban-industrial area of Fort Smith, this facility contributes to local water quality management. The discharge ultimately flows into the Arkansas River watershed. Proper operation and maintenance of this outfall help mitigate the impact of stormwater runoff on receiving waters, supporting compliance with Clean Water Act goals for fishable and swimmable waters.

The outfall discharges into the Arkansas River basin, which is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent thunderstorms, leading to significant stormwater runoff volumes. Industrial catchments like this one can introduce pollutants such as suspended solids, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons. Regulatory oversight under the Clean Water Act requires best management practices to minimize these impacts.