Helsinki, Finland, 31 July 2006 – Alkaline cooking liquor from UPM's Kymi pulp mill leaked into the Kymi River on 28 July 2006. The mill has taken steps to correct the problem. The effect of the spill on the water quality of the river has been minor and temporary.

A second series of measurements conducted by the local water protection association of the river Kymi, Kymijoen vesi ja ympäristö r.y., on 29 July in the afternoon, showed that the pH value of the water was decreasing towards the normal level.

Cleaning of the damaged ground at the mill area continues. The sawdust used to absorb the alkaline cooking liquor will be disposed according to the instructions by the Environment Center of South East Finland, by burning in the Kymin Voima bio-energy power plant in Kuusankoski.

The pipe burst that caused the leakage was repaired and the pipeline was tested on 30 July in the morning. Production started again at 1800 hours and the mill operations are now back to normal.