The process water from the paper-making is continuously recycled in the mill. However, there is always some excess water. The excess water first goes to a primary clarifier where it is separated into solid material and liquid. The solid material is used for composting. The excess process water produced during the paper-making must be treated before being released into the environment. The water is piped from the mill to the Aerated Stabilization Basin (ASB).

The ASB at Irving Paper is a 9 hectare lagoon, 11 metres deep. In this pond, air is pumped into the water to feed biological organisms (bacteria) that speed up the natural break-down process. The water passes through the three sections of the pond over a period of 15 days before it is released. At this time the water meets or exceeds all environmental regulations, and is clean enough to support plant and animal life.

Use the map to return to any spot in the process.