Paper mill closed over wastewater leak

A paper mill in Nova Scotia, Canada, had to shut down operations earlier in the week after a wastewater leak was discovered. Randy Delorey, Nova Scotia's environment minister, told the Canadian Press that the mill ceased operations when it was found that wastewater was leaking into a river and wetlands surrounding the mill.

Wastewater was found to be leaking from a pipe at the mill, causing contamination to the water sources. Mr Delorey told the news provider that the Northern Pulp mill contacted the environment department on Tuesday (June 10th) to report the leak.

It is not yet known how much wastewater had leaked from the pipe and made its way into the wetlands and river. It is also unknown what the environmental impact on the leak is likely to be.

“It appears there was ... a break or a leak in the pipe that transfers the effluent from the mill to the treatment facility,” said in an interview with the Canadian Press.

He continued to say that a third party investigator is currently testing the area to see what effect the wastewater leak is likely to have, if indeed it will have any effect at all. No plans for a cleanup of the site can be made until the results of the tests are known. As the wastewater contains some substances that occur naturally, this could limit the negative effect on water in the area.

Whether or not the leak has a large effect on the environment, it is being treated as a serious issue, Mr Delaney said. The fact that it was able to happen at all shows that it is a serious issue, he continued.

Northern Pulp released a statement saying that its current priority was to contain the contamination quickly and safely in order to minimise any negative environmental effects. It said that the leak does not pose a risk to the public and that protocols and training are in place to ensure it is dealt with correctly.

It is not yet known how long the paper mill will be shut down for, said Mr Delaney.