a method for treating secondary fiber to achieve wet strength while retaining repulpability is provided . in an embodiment , the method involves supplying a first line of secondary fiber which represents a total supply of secondary fiber . the method has a further step of removing a portion of the total supply of secondary fiber in the first line and transporting the portion into a second line . the second line is treated with a cationic resin treatment . a third line supplies virgin fiber . the third line and the first line are combined . next , the treated secondary fiber in the second line is combined with the mixed contents of the first line and third line . separation of the virgin fiber line from the secondary fiber line at initial stages of the process lowers cationic demand for the system , and reduces an amount of resin required to treat the system .