Modernizations of the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations (PPER) have been proposed which will lead to stricter water quality discharge limits in Canada. IPP continues to develop plans to invest in a new, state-of-the-art secondary treatment facility to meet these targets. The proposed facility will enable a 75 – 80 per cent reduction in regulated emissions associated with water treatment; Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The Environmental Impact Assessment application has been filed with the provincial regulator for this project and we expect to begin construction of this facility in 2022.

In 2017, Lake Utopia Paper commissioned a new, state-of-the-art effluent treatment and biogas facility. This facility allows us to meet the PPER and has also allowed us to reduce fossil fuel consumption and GHG emissions by over 50 per cent through the generation and use of resulting biogas as a process fuel.

In addition to having emission limits associated with wastewater, the Pulp & Paper Division is fully engaged with environmental effect monitoring. This program requires participants to identify causes and solutions for affected environments, such as evaluating the potential impact of wastewater on local fish and fish habitat.