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.