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Woodland Pulp wastewater enters St. Croix River between N.B. and Maine

August 28, 2018 – CBC is reporting that a line carrying partially treated effluent from Woodland Pulp’s mill in Baileyville, Maine burst on August 10, causing wastewater to enter Wapsaconhagen Stream. The stream is a tributary of St. Croix River, which separates New Brunswick and Maine. 

Mill staff were able to stop the leak and begin repairs as soon as they were contacted by a police officer who’d noticed the smell.

The Woodland Pulp mill had two spills in 2016 and has been slowly replacing the three-kilometre-long pipeline ever since.

Wildlife advocates are especially concerned about this most recent spill due to recent efforts to encourage alewife (also known as gaspereau) spawning in the river. There has been no report of envrionmental impact, though spills can lower the oxygen levels in the water.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has not yet announced if it plans to press charges.