Infractions and Complaints



Infractions, complaints and corrective measures With few exceptions, the requirements of the environmental permits regulating operations at Stora Enso's various units were fulfilled by comfortable margins. Heinola Fluting Mill Imatra Mills Kemijärvi Mill Kotka Mill Varkaus Mill Skoghall, Forshaga Mill Skoghall Mill Niagara Mill Port Hawkesbury Wisconsin Rapids Pulp Mill Heinola Fluting Mill Certain waste water permit limits were exceeded at Heinola Fluting Mill, due to the growth of filamentous bacteria in the activated sludge basin. A special research project was conducted to find out the reasons for this. On the basis of the research results, Heinola decided to invest in a new Minimum Biosludge Process (MBP) which involves the pre-treatment of waste water before the activated sludge process. The new process was started up in December 2001. Imatra Mills People living near Imatra Mills have complained about unpleasant smells and noise problems. Imatra has paid special attention to noise problems when planning new processes and buildings. The new fibre line and particularly changes at the new debarking plant have significantly reduced noise levels, although there were some problems during the start-up. A special development project has also been set up to reduce the noise caused by the mills' board and paper machines. Kemijärvi Mill The permitted biological oxygen demand (BOD) limit was exceeded at Kemijärvi mill during the winter and early spring. The aeration volume of the aeration basin was subsequently increased, and the nutrient balance control for Nitrogen and Phosphorus levels was improved. Thanks to these considerable efforts, oxidising efficiency was improved, and BOD7 loading has now fallen to acceptable levels. Kotka Mill The waste water permit limit for Phosphorus and the target value for Nitrogen were exceeded in the beginning of the year and in September. The main problem was that oxygen levels in the aeration basin were too low. During 2001 one of Kotka's paper machines and the pulp mill were also rebuilt, so it was difficult to achieve normal, stable process runs. To solve these problems, the aeration volume in the aeration basin was increased, and the nutrient balance control was also adjusted. Varkaus Mill During the midsummer shutdown at Varkaus, several hundred litres of raw soap entered a rainwater drain and flowed on into a lake. The cause of this accident was the malfunction of a recirculation pump in the safety basin. The soap was collected by an oil boom close to the end of the drain, and further damage was avoided by effective prevention measures. To prevent this problem reoccurring Varkaus has improved the measures taken to control safety equipment before shut-downs. Skoghall, Forshaga Mill Soil samples taken during the construction of a loading area in Forshaga indicated that the soil was contaminated. This issue is being dealt with in co-operation with local partners. Skoghall Mill In summer 2001, local residents complained about odours and noise while Skoghall Mill was making trials on a landfill site involving the drying of chemical precipitation sludge before its incineration in the bark boiler. The problems ceased as soon as the trials were stopped. Niagara Mill A public complaint was filed regarding the operation of the mill's bio-solids agricultural landspreading program. The mill is currently working with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to resolve the complaint. Port Hawkesbury The mill's daily Total Suspended Solids limit was exceeded twice during 2001 due to problems with a secondary clarifier at the end of an extended shutdown in April. A Warning Letter from the federal ministry, Environment Canada was received concerning the incident. An action plan was implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. Wisconsin Rapids Pulp Mill The federal Environmental Protection Agency alleges that violations of the Clean Air Act have occurred at the Wisconsin Rapids Pulp Mill related to projects begun between 1983 and 1991. Discussions with the authorities to resolve this situation are still continuing.