We continue to monitor the situation following a sewage spill that occurred on September 11 at Lake Whatcom during construction work on the Electric Avenue bridge repair project.
Key Updates as of 12 p.m., Sept. 12:
- There are no impacts to the City’s drinking water. The City’s water treatment plant intake is located over a mile upstream in Basin 2, far from the site of the spill. Additionally, our treatment plant is designed to remove a wide range of contaminants, including pathogens and other harmful substances that may be present in untreated sewage.
- The boat launch remains open, but avoid water contact near the canoe launch, swimming area, and Scudder Pond until further notice.
- The beach at Bloedel Donovan Park remains closed until the full test results are received.
- Downstream impacts in Whatcom Creek are expected to be minimal. Flows from the dam were increased to help flush the system, diluting the contaminants as they work downstream. Staff are collecting water quality samples along Whatcom Creek, coordinating with Whatcom County Health and Community Services and will share results when they are available.
- The sewage spill is not expected to delay the reopening of the Electric Avenue bridge next week.
The City of Bellingham remains committed to protecting public health and the environment. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
See September 11 release for additional information.
