Pactiv Evergreen mill accused of illegal chemical dumping in Canton wastewater system

CANTON, N.C. (WLOS) — The Pactiv Evergreen paper mill in Canton faces allegations of illegally dumping chemicals into the wastewater system. The Department of Environmental Quality said it was happening during the recent plant shutdown process.

DEQ officials said the mill has three violations of dumping chemicals into the wastewater treatment system. Those violations include making outlets into waters of the state without a permit, along with violations of mitigation and duty obligations.

The violations stem from an early June complaint claiming mill workers were disposing of sodium hydroxide solution and calcium hypochlorite into the wastewater system.

Over the next few days, the mill and the DEQ’s Water Resources Division disagreed over what was permitted and what wasn't.

In a DEQ letter to the paper mill, the mill argued virgin chemicals could be disposed of through the wastewater system and met permit requirements.

The mill argued, "This type of process was inherent to the shutdown operation."

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At the time of the shutdown, Water Resources staff said they told Pactiv Evergreen officials, "The dumping, disposal or discharge of unused or virgin chemical products or materials into the ... permitted wastewater system is prohibited."

“To hear that happening just weeks ago is disheartening,” Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers said.

He said promises made by Gov. Roy Cooper and the DEQ are holding true.

“Evergreen needs to continue to be held accountable,” Smathers said. “I’m not a person who knows how it's done, but I don't think things should be dumped into the river."

He said the mill must follow legal requirements in the environmental cleanup of the business.

“There is no excuse for doing stuff in the river. But again, it's under investigation. Evergreen gets to tell their side of the story. But I'm appreciative that DEQ is doing exactly what the governor instructed them to do. I’m glad DEQ is proving to be the high sheriff down there,” Smathers said.

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Asked about his level of trust in Evergreen, Smathers said, “That relationship is ongoing.”

He will keep a watchful eye, convinced Canton's future rides on clean water flowing through the Pigeon River.

“As we talk about our future, we can't do that until we know what that site holds,” Smathers said.

The company has 10 days to respond to the DEQ.

Pactiv Evergreen could see fines of up to $25,000 per day, per violation.

Pactiv Evergreen issued this statement:

We are committed to operating safely and responsibly across our organization. We will continue working with the state regarding our environmental obligations at the Canton mill site.”