Ministry of Environment, Conservation, Parks investigating effluent levels in Kaministiquia River

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks is investigating elevated effluent levels in the Kaministiquia River below the Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper Mill.

On August 23, the ministry’s Spills Action Centre (SAC) received a report from the Ministry of Natural Resources about a discoloured plume and strong odour near the mill’s effluent discharge location. 

The Ministry has contacted the mill to gain more information about the events leading up to the discharge/plume and requested sampling information from the mill.

The ministry has also collected samples to analyze.

On Tuesday, the mill reported effluent exceedances from samples taken on August 20 and August 25.

“As a result, the ministry has issued a Notice of Violation to Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper Inc.,” said a spokesperson for the ministry.” (It) requires the mill to immediately cease discharging until compliance can be achieved for the effluent, and to undertake an analysis of the incident and identify measures needed to prevent this from happening again. “