RUMFORD, Maine — The Rumford Fire Department and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection responded to a reported spill Thursday afternoon of 15,600 gallons of water containing wood fiber into the Androscoggin River from the Catalyst Paper mill.
Initial reports suggested that as much as 56,000 gallons were discharged into the river, but upon further investigation, mill officials determined that much less contaminated water actually made its way into the Androscoggin, Catalyst spokesman Tony Lyons said Thursday evening.
Lyons said the problem was the result of a malfunction with a turbidity meter connected to one of the mills sewer systems, which was shut down immediately after the erroneous discharge was discovered.
In accordance with its protocol for such situations, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Oxford County Emergency Management Agency and the Maine State Police were notified, along with the local fire department, Lyons said.
The wood fibers had settled in the river as of early evening and the mill will work with the DEP to determine if any additional action will be required, he said. Between 200 and 300 pounds of wood fiber was released in the discharge.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection issued the following statement about the spill:
“Catalyst Mill reported to Maine DEP an event regarding the release of thermal seal water used in the paper-making process that leaked into the Androscoggin River,” department spokesman David Madore said.
“The department investigated the occurrence and spoke with mill representatives who tested the wastewater and confirmed it was essentially hot water with paper fiber. Based on current information, this incident did not require a response from DEP to be on site. However, we are in contact with the Catalyst paper mill and will continue to monitor the situation,” he said.