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    Complaint

    97830
    WPC
    10/29/2020
    Phone
    Pollution / Spills / Illicit Discharge
    10/29/2020
    20-NOV-2023 12:22PM

    Location based on SITE_ID

    Site ID
    4777
    Site
    Domtar Paper Company, LLC - Kingsport Mill
    Location
    100 Clinchfield Street
    City
    Kingsport
    Description
    Paper Mills
    County
    Sullivan
    EFO Name
    Johnson City
    Site Owner
    Weyerhaeuser Company Kingport Paper

    Investigation Results

    Issue Resolved
    10/29/2020
    Domtar
    11/2/2020

    Complaint Description and Writeup

    Bonnie DePew (Domtar) called BBC on 29-OCT-20 to report a discharge of process wastewater to the South Fork Holston River. An apparent break or separation in the transfer line from the primary clarifier to the aerated treatment lagoon resulted in the release into the river. Ms. DePew stated that wastewater entered the river from approximately 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM when the issue was discovered and pumps were cut off. Domtar notified the downstream First U.D. of Hawkins County WTP.

    Mill operations had been shut down for the past few months. The raw water treatment plant for mill water was down and the associated clarifier empty. Domtar plans to pump down the wastewater level in the primary wastewater clarifier and haul it via tanker to the treatment lagoon in order to create freeboard for coming rainfall. City water at the mill was also shut off to eliminate flows from air compressors and air conditioning usage. The WTP clarifier can be used to hold wastewater if necessary to prevent additional discharge. Investigation into the root cause of the release and plans for repairs were ongoing at the time of initial report. A written report will be submitted.