What is a lift station?

Typically, used water travels underground in sloped pipelines using gravity to allow it to flow naturally. However, in areas where the natural slope of the land doesn’t allow used water to flow freely, lift stations are used to pump the used water from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. Pumping to a higher elevation allows the used water to flow by gravity, through connected pipes, until it reaches its final destination of the sanitary sewer treatment plant.

Utilities Archives

Tremont Lift Station

Corner with trees, grass, at intersection of Meridian and Tremont

The Tremont Lift Station project (EU193) will install a new sanitary sewer lift station at the corner of Meridian Street and Tremont Avenue in north Bellingham. A force main will connect this new lift station to the City Sewer System on Meridian Street between Van Wyck Road and Horton Road. A sewer system installed in ... Read more

Lake Whatcom Vault Retrofits

Lake with hills in the background and a bright blue sky

Project Overview: Phase 1 This project aims to protect and improve water quality in Lake Whatcom by reducing pollution impacts from existing infrastructure and development. This will be done by retrofitting three existing stormwater treatment facilities to reduce the amount of phosphorus and bacteria entering Lake Whatcom, Bellingham’s drinking water source. Between the three facilities, ... Read more

Harris Avenue Multimodal Corridor Improvements 12th to 24th Streets

Project Overview This project will upgrade and repair utilities throughout the corridor and then construct sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the street. It will also upgrade curb ramps and improve lighting on the street. Project Status 2025 The City has a consultant under contract for the study and design work. The estimated ... Read more

Post Point Resource Recovery Plant Headworks Bypass

Project Overview EU195 This project will install a temporary bypass system around the Plant Headworks Facilities. The bypass system will divert up to 15 million gallons of sewer influent per day. The Headworks facilities remove floatable debris (rags, sticks, etc.) and sinkable debris (sand, gravel, grit) from the sewer influent. The temporary system installed will provide similar ... Read more

Post Point Solids Pilot Program

Project Overview Post Point Resource Recovery is looking for new solutions for wastewater solids processing. After the Mayor and City Council directed the City to change course on a Biosolids processing project due to concerns around the cost and the constituents of emerging concern, including PFAS, the city began working to find a new solution ... Read more

Little Squalicum Creek Water Quality Improvements Phase 1

Construction work next to a street with an excavator digging a trench.

Project Overview This project is part of a multi-phased approach to improve water quality in Little Squalicum Creek and the new Little Squalicum Estuary by reducing pollution in rainwater runoff – or stormwater – from the surrounding residential area (Bellingham Technical College has private stormwater facilities to treat runoff from their campus). This first phase ... Read more