Southwestern Die Casting Co/Baldor Electric Stormwater Outfall, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Southwestern Die Casting Co/Baldor Electric is a stormwater outfall located at 600 Raleigh in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The facility serves industrial operations classified under NAICS codes 331521 (Aluminum Die-Casting) and 331523 (Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting), indicating a focus on metal casting activities. As a stormwater outfall, it manages runoff from industrial catchments, which may contain pollutants such as metals and oils. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, specifically through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits. Fort Smith, as a Phase II small MS4, requires stormwater management programs to reduce pollutant discharges to the maximum extent practicable. The outfall likely complies with local stormwater permits and best management practices for industrial facilities. Environmental significance lies in its role in managing stormwater runoff from industrial areas in Sebastian County. Discharges from metal casting facilities can impact local water bodies if not properly treated. The outfall contributes to protecting the Arkansas River watershed by controlling the release of sediments, metals, and other pollutants. Effective stormwater management at this site supports community water quality and regulatory compliance.

The facility is located in an industrial area of Fort Smith, within the Arkansas River watershed. Stormwater runoff from metal casting operations can carry pollutants like aluminum, copper, and zinc, which may impair water quality if uncontrolled. The region's climate, with seasonal heavy rainfall, increases the risk of runoff events. Regulatory oversight under the Clean Water Act and local MS4 permits aims to minimize these impacts through structural controls and monitoring.