Domtar’s Nekoosa Mill has secured the company’s Water Reduction Award following a series of conservation initiatives projected to save more than 129 million gallons of water annually.
The mill outperformed other Domtar facilities in a competitive selection process to claim 46% of a $1 million corporate Water Reduction Fund. The fund was established to incentivize high-impact sustainability projects across the organization.
The Nekoosa projects are expected to generate more than $800,000 in annual energy savings while significantly reducing the facility’s environmental footprint. Beyond the financial impact, the initiatives have delivered several operational advantages, including reduced freshwater demand, improved utilization of process water and a lower load on the mill’s water treatment systems.
These projects highlight the strong technical capabilities, practical problem-solving and commitment to sustainability shown by employees across the site.
The Nekoosa Mill’s winning initiatives focused on three key areas:
- N4 Paper Machine: A $50,000 investment to redirect white water for pulper make-down use. This project maintains process reliability while saving 41.5 million gallons of water and $202,000 in energy costs per year.
- N9 Paper Machine: A larger-scale $354,000 project that leveraged white water to reduce usage by 51.1 million gallons annually. This initiative enhanced overall process efficiency and long-term sustainability, resulting in $248,000 in yearly energy savings.
- Paper Machine Pulper Seal Water Retrofit: A $56,000 initiative to switch pulper seal water systems from continuous flow to on-demand operation. By eliminating unnecessary water usage and reducing pump energy consumption, the project saves 36.8 million gallons of water and $360,000 in energy costs each year.
The mill’s newly formed Energy Team collaborated with operations, maintenance, engineering and environmental departments to identify and implement the upgrades. Beyond immediate savings, the collaborative effort established a scalable solution for future pulper upgrades and improved system reliability across the site.
Company officials noted the award reflects corporate confidence in the Nekoosa workforce’s ability to deliver results following a period of robust performance in capital project execution. The distinction recognizes not only the measurable water and energy savings achieved, but also the culture at the Nekoosa Mill, one that values teamwork, accountability and continuous improvement.
Going forward, the mill plans to evaluate more opportunities to expand water reuse and further reduce utility costs as part of its ongoing environmental performance goals.