Domtar’s Espanola paper mill has been fined for failing to notify the ministry of a spill of sodium sulphate salt, referred to as salt cake.
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change convicted Domtar Inc., of an Environmental Protection Act violation for failing to notify the ministry of a spill on or about August 29th, 2016.
The discharge was as a result of a salt cake buildup and a resulting failure of a precipitator on a recovery boiler.
Although salt cake is a white, odourless powder and is regarded as non-toxic, several complaints were received from area residents who indicated that the substance coated their vehicles, yards and outdoor furniture.
Domtar did not report the discharge to the ministry until August 30, 2016.
The company was convicted earlier this month on April 12th and was fined $50,000 plus a victim fine surcharge of $12,500.