Technical Bulletin No. 0172: The Application of Stabilization Ponds in the Purification of Pulp and Paper Mill Wastes

At one time the most widely used method for reducing the BOD of pulp and paper mill effluents, was by use of stabilization basins, in which effluents were stored and allowed to oxidize by natural means. The National Council's Technical Bulletin No. 172, issued originally in 1964 summarized the development and then current practice within the industry and described the improvements then being made and under investigation toward raising the efficiency of this process. By 1964 a trend had already developed toward oxygenation of stabilization basins by aerating them mechanically. This reduced the storage period required to less than 10% of that required for un-aerated basins providing the same degree of purification. This practice, together with a number of inherent advantages pointed out in the attached bulletin, was expected to increase its application by the industry. The expected result has since materialized