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Department of Ecology News Release - Nov. 20, 2000
00-222
BELLEVUE - The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) has levied a $20,000 fine against the Kimberly-Clark Corp. sulfite mill in Everett for repeatedly discharging excess amounts of pollution into Port Gardner Bay earlier this year.
The Everett Kimberly-Clark mill manufactures consumer products such as toilet paper, paper towels and napkins.
According to Ecology permit managers, on Aug. 14 and Sept. 19, the mill exceeded the maximum amount of total suspended solids it is allowed to discharge each day. The total suspended solids exceeded the plant's permitted limits by about 12,000 and 4,600 pounds, respectively.
"Kimberly-Clark has continued to have problems with processing its waste sludge," said Carol Kraege, who manages Ecology's industrial section. "The company also has had a history of violations for suspended solids."
The most recent violation, Kraege noted, occurred in December 1998 and resulted in Ecology issuing a $6,000 fine.
In addition to suspended-solid violations, in September and October the Everett mill also violated pH limits outlined in its water-quality permit. Kimberly-Clark is required to ensure that its waste water is not too acidic or alkaline prior to discharge - and pH is the scientific test used to determine this factor.
The Everett Kimberly-Clark plant also has had a history of pH violations. The last infraction occurred in April 1998 and resulted in a $2,000 fine.
"We hope this penalty will serve as a deterrent against additional permit violations," Kraege said. She added that Kimberly-Clark has made a number of equipment upgrades and improvements in its industrial processes that she hopes will prevent similar violations in the future.
Kimberly-Clark may apply to Ecology for relief from the new penalty within 15 days, or may appeal the fine to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
Contact: Carol P. Kraege, Industrial Section Supervisor, (360)
407-6906
Curt Hart, Public Information Manager, (425) 649-7009; pager, (206) 663-1785
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
