What is WERP?
The Water and Effluent Reduction Program, or WERP, is a program to reduce the water used and
effluent produced by the Thunder Bay Mill.
Why should the Thunder Bay Mill embark on this program?
The Thunder Bay mill is the largest user of water in Thunder Bay. Besides having a great environmental impact by reducing our water consumption, the mill will also benefit by reducing treatment costs, and by lowering energy costs.
What has the mill accomplished so far?
A 22.5% reduction in water used and effluent produced was achieved at the end of 2002. This amounts to using and discharging 21,000 liters per minute less water for every day of the year. How is this different then the end of 2002? In 2003, our year-to-date reduction is 5.7% better than the same period in 2002.
How was this achieved?
By implementing many projects in every department, such as:
1. The installation of low water packings, rotameters and closing off valves on gland and seal water applications throughout the mill.
- 2. The installation of smaller nozzles, and/or shutting off some showers completely.
3. Re-using warm water from Recovery in the TMP (Thermo-Mechanical Pulping) and paper machine areas.
Where do we go from here?
Our goal is to continue to reduce, reuse and recycle water and effluents to eventually achieve our target of a 50% reduction over the next few years.