Published December 2005

Environment comes
out a winner in
public-private project

In November, officials at the Kimberly-Clark paper mill began a major water conservation project, the last phase of a multimillion-dollar public-private partnership that deserves praise for its goal of protecting the environment and conserving water.

The project, known as the Port Gardner outfall program, enables treated wastewater from Kimberly-Clark and the cities of Everett and Marysville to flow through the company’s recently installed pipeline. The pipeline, which extends more than 4,000 feet offshore of Port Gardner Bay, reduces municipal water discharges to the Snohomish River and the mill’s discharge to the inner harbor of the bay.

But that’s not all. In its final phase begun last month, the project calls on Kimberly-Clark to use treated city effluent in the mill’s bleach plant cooling system, conserving an estimated 2 million to 3 million gallons of fresh water daily in the process.

The project partnership, which also includes the Port of Everett, has garnered state and national accolades for its environmental impact, including the Industrial Water Quality Achievement Award from the national Water Environment Federation. The partnership also was named an “Environmental Innovator,” the top Environmental Excellence Award from the Association of Washington Business.

Indeed, the project that was begun two years ago — and had been in development for many years prior — has proven to be a boon financially, with partners sharing the cost, as well as environmentally. Congratulations to all involved.

— Kimberly Hilden, SCBJ Assistant Editor

Back to the top/December 2005 Main Menu