A fine of $25,500 has been applied against Catalyst Paper Corporation for environmental infractions at its Crofton mill in the summer of 2021. (Dreamstime)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

fine issued

Fine levied for toxic discharges at Crofton mill, including one million litres into ocean

Jan 18, 2024 | 3:59 PM

DUNCAN — A sizable administrative penalty has been applied against Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Crofton mill for multiple environmental infractions.

A recent Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy ruling outlined six infractions in the summer of 2021, four of which relate to unauthorized discharges, amounting to a $25,500 fine.

The report showed a July 23, 2021 discharge of one million litres of effluent, stormwater and seawater discharged into the ocean.

“This discharge was due to a failed expansion joint associated with one of the pumps responsible for conveying the bleach tank effluent through a local heat exchanger and not as a result of an extreme precipitation event…”

A subsequent acute toxicity test deemed the substance posed a threat to fish habitat. While Catalyst Paper acknowledged the effluent’s toxicity levels, the company argued it could not have predicted the expansion joint failure.

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The ministry noted that on Aug. 7, 2021, the company discharged 6,000 litres of effluent into the ocean, which also failed an acute toxicity test.

“I am convinced that these two acutely toxic discharges pose a high potential threat to the environment,” the administrative penalty report read.

Catalyst Paper failed to regularly inspect and maintain in good working order a primary pump adjacent to the outfall and two submersible pumps in the stormwater ditching, according to the ministry. Those findings were disputed by Catalyst Paper Corporation.

Reasonable measures to avoid the unauthorized discharges were not taken, the ministry stated.

“The onus to prove due diligence lies with Catalyst. In order to establish due diligence, Catalyst would have been expected to provide evidence that it had a system of regular 13 inspections and maintenance for critical equipment as well as adequate backups and contingencies in place, which would have prevented the failures.”

The ministry determined that no quantifiable economic benefit from the failures was realized by the company and that Catalyst Paper Corporation made efforts to prevent future similar contraventions.

Catalyst Paper Corporation has 30 days as of Jan. 9 to pay the fine, which it has the right to appeal.

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