Donald Ave Water Quality Retrofit

Project Overview: EV171

This proposed project will improve water quality in Lake Whatcom, Bellingham’s drinking water source, by replacing an existing stormwater treatment facility located at 2000 Northshore Drive near Donald Avenue. The facility helps reduce excess phosphorous levels in Lake Whatcom by treating polluted runoff before it enters the lake. This project is identified as a priority in the City’s Lake Whatcom Retrofit Plan in accordance with the Lake Whatcom TMDL Implementation Plan that addresses excess phosphorus and bacteria pollution.

Project Status – May 2024

We have updated the design of the treatment facility and the 90% Design Plans are now available. We reduced the treatment facility size and will be using a new layout that will be more cost effective, be located outside of the shoreline buffer, and result in no new hard surfacing. We have applied for permits and plan to construct the project this summer.

As part of this updated design only minor construction impacts may occur on the 2000 Northshore property as part of this project. 

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More Information

Below is a list of common questions brought up at an informational meeting we hosted on October 9th with follow-up information. These answers may change as we progress project design.

Will access to the site be maintained?

  • With this project and all City projects, our goal is to prioritize the public benefit for as many people as possible. Since this City property is a stormwater utility site and not intended for recreational access, we intend to manage the property to maximize protection of Lake Whatcom.
  • At this time, we do plan to maintain access to the private dock and beach as well as to the Donald Avenue right-of-way immediately north of the parcel.
  • During construction, access may be limited at times for safety.

Are trees planned for the project site?

  • Trees will not be installed with this project but we may restore the parcel with plantings in the future.

Will access to Donald Avenue homes be maintained during construction?

  • Yes. While delays should be expected during construction, we will maintain access to homes.

The area shown as draining to the facility looks wrong. Will this be addressed?

  • Yes. The design engineering firm, Pacific Survey & Engineering, has looked into the assumed treatment basin and revised the design. The project no longer utilizes the 2000 Northshore property.

Why is this project needed?

  • This project is an important part of meeting the phosphorous reduction target set in the mandatory water quality improvement plan for Lake Whatcom so that we can meet state water quality standards. Please read the “Project Background” section below to learn more.

This project is one of many City efforts to address water quality concerns in the drinking water source for more than 100,000 Whatcom County residents. Lake Whatcom has been listed as a polluted body of water by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) since 1998 because it does not meet water quality standards for dissolved oxygen due to high amounts of phosphorous entering the lake.

Excess phosphorous levels can lead to large algal blooms that cloud water and block out sunlight for other plants. When algae die, bacteria feed on the decomposing algae and consume the oxygen in the water, depleting dissolved oxygen that is necessary for plants, fish and other aquatic creatures to survive.

The City and Whatcom County are working to reduce phosphorous levels in response to federal Clean Water Act requirements and the state Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process. The Environmental Protection Agency approved a mandatory water quality improvement plan (Lake Whatcom TMDL) in 2016. The plan sets the phosphorous reduction target needed to meet water quality standards. This project is an important part of meeting the target.

This project would retrofit an existing stormwater facility to improve phosphorous removal and reduce pollution in Lake Whatcom. Learn more:

Work along Northshore Drive and Donald Avenue east of Northshore is expected. This site is located next to a two-lane road without an easy detour. Work will be planned to minimize impacts to roadway users during construction. While we expect there to be delays during construction, we will maintain access to homes. View a vicinity map.

Below is an estimated timeline for this project. Please note that these dates are tentative and may change.

  • 2021 – Department of Ecology grant awarded to City for the project
  • 2022 – Engineering consultant selected and site-specific data gathered (geotechnical, flow monitoring, and survey data)
  • February 2023 – 30% Design Plans
  • July 2023 – 60% Design Plans submitted to Department of Ecology (view plans)
  • October 2023 – Virtual neighborhood meeting hosted on October 9th to provide information on the project and receive comments and questions. This meeting was conducted before applying for land use permits. View presentation slides.
  • April 2024 – 90% Design Plans and cost estimate. Apply for project permits.
  • May/June 2024 – Solicit bids for project construction
  • August-September 2024 – Construct project during the summer
  • Fall 2024 – Project completion. Finish any remaining non-land disturbing activities.

This project will retrofit an existing City-owned stormwater facility with treatment and infiltration systems designed to maximize phosphorus removal. The project is expected to replace the existing 7,250 square foot sand filter with a City of Bellingham Phosphorus Optimized Stormwater Treatment (POST) System. The POST System was certified in February 2022 by the Washington Department of Ecology’s emerging stormwater treatment technology program (TAPE Program) and approved with General Use Level Designation for Basic Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Phosphorous Treatment.

If POST media is used, the system will remove phosphorous and reduce total suspended solids, dissolved copper and zinc.

The project was awarded a grant by the Department of Ecology (DOE). The project design and construction phases are funded with State funds (75%) and local funds (25%) through this DOE grant which expires June 30, 2025.

Contact

Jessica J. Bennett, PE
Phone: (360) 778-7923
Email: jjbennett@cob.org

Media requests: pwmedia@cob.org

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