Northern Pulp files Focus Report for Replacement of Effluent Treatment Facility Project

This is to advise that on October 2, 2019, Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation (Northern Pulp) submitted the Focus Report for the Replacement Effluent Treatment Facility Project for environmental assessment, in accordance with Part IV of the Environment Act.

The Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp mill is located at Abercrombie Point adjacent to Pictou Harbour in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. The proposed project will consist of the development of a new effluent (wastewater) treatment facility (ETF) constructed on Northern Pulp property, and a transmission pipeline that will carry treated effluent overland and in the marine environment and discharge via an engineered diffuser (marine outfall).

The new ETF will employ the AnoxKaldnes BAS™ Biological Activated Sludge process purchased from Veolia Water Technologies, which combines Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology with conventional activated sludge. Once treated onsite at Northern Pulp's facility, effluent will be sent through an approximately 15 km long pipeline. The pipeline will enter the south side of Pictou Harbour and make landfall on the north side of the harbour roughly following Highway 106 right-of-way to Caribou, and then re-enters the marine environment adjacent to the Northumberland Ferries marine terminal and continues for approximately 4.0 km through Caribou Harbour to the Northumberland Strait, terminating at an engineered marine outfall.

All project information including the Focus Report is available on Nova Scotia Environment website at http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/ea/. 

Please note that written comments must be provided no later than November 8, 2019 to be considered in this environmental assessment. Written comments are requested to be provided via e-mail if possible (EA@novascotia.ca).

 All comments received will be posted on the department’s website for public viewing (after the Minister of Environment has made a decision on this environmental assessment). In the case of an individual, the address, email and contact information will be removed before being placed on the website. By submitting your comments, you are consenting to the posting of your comments on the department’s website.

If you have any process questions related to the Project, please contact us at EA@novascotia.ca or Toll-free phone number: 833-424-8694.