Paper maker Domtar hit with $75K fine from Environment Canada
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Firm pleaded guilty to discharging excess effluent into local waterway near its Espanola, Ont., mill
ESPANOLA, Ont.—Environment Canada has slapped Domtar Corp. with a $75,000 fine after the pulp and paper firm pleaded guilty to a violation of the federal Fisheries Act.
According to Environment Canada, the fine comes after the Montreal-based firm pleaded guilty to discharging excess effluent into a local waterway near its Espanola, Ont., mill, about 70 kilometres southwest of Sudbury, Ont.
“Domtar failed to adhere to the regulatory limits for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and thereby deposited effluent that was deleterious to fish, contrary to the Fisheries Act,” the federal ministry said in a statement.
“Discharge of BOD matter into water leads to the consumption of oxygen in the receiving water which may render the water uninhabitable to fish and other aquatic organisms.”
Environment Canada said the discharge occurred in December 2010.
Of the $75,000 fine, $67,500 will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.
