Mill denies harming river in shut-down process

Jul. 28—Pactiv Evergreen admits it discharged chemicals used for cleaning and sanitation into the mill's wastewater treatment plant, but contends no environmental harm was done and the actions were in keeping with the paper mill's operating permit.

The statement by Pactiv Evergreen came in response to a July 11 Notice of Violation sent by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality for violating three sections of state law following a complaint from workers, accompanied by photos. The complaint alleges the mill was dumping sodium hydroxide solution and calcium hypochlorite directly into the wastewater treatment system.

The discharge occurred during the final days of operation of the Canton paper mill. The shutdown process is common industry practice when plants close, Mill General Manager James Clary wrote in a nine-page response to the violation notice.

"Blue Ridge Paper is committed to operating safely and responsibly across our organization, including meeting our environmental obligations at our Canton Mill site," the letter states. "Blue Ridge Paper believes that neither the discharge of the cleaning solution nor the sanitizer resulted in the violation of water quality standards in the NPDES permit."

All state permits for the Canton mill are listed under the name Blue Ridge Paper Products, the former name of the company during the eight-year period it was operated as an employee-owned company.

The letter stated the company acted on a good-faith belief that the discharge of the materials in question was authorized by its permit, just as liquors and other process chemicals were typically treated at the mill's wastewater treatment plant.

A central issue in the violation was whether raw or "virgin" chemicals — ones that had not been opened and partially used as part of the manufacturing process — were disposed of through the wastewater treatment facility.

When the mill responded to the state's initial inquiry, environmental officials said they had no further questions regarding the action. However, the Division of Water Resources concluded the discharge was unauthorized since the chemicals weren't actually used in the industrial process.

The letter stated the discharge did not harm the beneficial bacteria or upset the aerobic treatment process in the treatment facility, and the effluent limits were followed.

Wastewater treatment facilities are closely monitored and regulated by the state, and operating entities have to meet certain standards before the wastewater can be released into the river.

Chemicals in question

The letter explained the sodium hydroxide, referred to thereafter as the "cleaning solution," was used as a felt wash and conditioning agent to clean the felt on the paper machines.

It was provided in 300-gallon totes and when the shutdown happened in early June, there were six totes on hand. Three were partially used totes and three were unopened totes and were returned to the vendor.

The letter estimated that between 300 and 600 gallons of the cleaning solution were disposed of, indicating this was a fraction of the more than 18 million gallons per day that were being processed in the facility.

In addition, the best management practices program detects unexpected spikes in the pH levels that help identify unanticipated releases and immediately address the issue, the letter stated. No spikes beyond those anticipated due to the higher than normal discharges of black liquor from the digesters, tanks and other vessels were were observed.

For the sodium hypochlorite release, referred to as the "sanitizer," or bleach, about 6,000 gallons remained in a single 8,550-gallon capacity tank that was used on the No. 19 paper machine. It was slowly drained over a 24-hour period beginning at 10 a.m. May 30.

This solution used to treat stock at the paper machines prevents unwanted bacterial growth the water that could adversely impact operations. This solution is consumed by organic material in the water treatment process and in the sewer system before it reaches the wastewater treatment plant, the letter stated and would have no adverse impact on the beneficial bacteria.

The letter states the company was not aware of any such chemicals used, including by third-party contractors.

Additionally, the letter addressed the situation depicted in photos sent in through a complaint, explaining the drainage was scheduled in advance so the wastewater treatment plant operators could plan for an properly manage their release by making needed adjustments.

"Blue Ridge Paper is proud of its employees and operators for managing these operations to maintain all monitored parameters and water quality standards at the WWTP within allowable limits during this extraordinarily challenging time," the letter states in reference to the activities between May 22 and June 6. Those activities including flushing out lines and triple rinsing vessels containing chemicals used in the paper-making process.

The July 11 notice of violation and notice of intent to enforce issued by the DEQ's Water Resource Division stated the office was considering sending a recommendation for enforcement to the Director of the Division of Water Resources and that the company response would be considered.

Violations are subject to a $25,000 a day fine.