Donald Ave Water Quality Retrofit

Project Overview

This project will improve water quality in Lake Whatcom by constructing a new pollution treatment facility within the public right-of-way at the corner of Donald Avenue and Northshore Drive. The Phosphorus Optimized Stormwater Treatment (POST) System facility will help reduce excess phosphorus and other pollution in Lake Whatcom by filtering polluted runoff from the surrounding residential area before it enters the lake. This project is an important part of meeting the phosphorus reduction target set in the mandatory water quality improvement plan for Lake Whatcom so that we can meet state water quality standards and protect the drinking water source for more than 120,000 people.

Map showing that project area is located along the Donald Avenue right-of-way near where Donald Avenue and Northshore Drive intersect

Project Status – January 2026

This project is nearing completion. Electrical service has been activated and the vault is operational. A couple of project items remain, including adding mulch and plants to the facility.

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More Information

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 phosphorus 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 phosphorus 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 phosphorus 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 phosphorus removal and reduce pollution in Lake Whatcom. Learn more:

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.
  • June 2024 – 100% Design Plans. Solicit bids for project construction
  • July 2024 – Construction contract awarded to Premium Services, Inc.
  • September 2024 – Winter 2025 – Construct project (majority of construction will take place during late summer/early fall 2025)

Below is a list of questions brought up at an informational meeting we hosted in October 2024 with follow-up information. These answers may change as we progress project design.

Will access to the Northshore property 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 Northshore property?

  • 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 phosphorus 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 to learn more.

This project will replace an existing City-owned stormwater facility with treatment and infiltration systems designed to maximize phosphorus removal. The project replaces 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 Phosphorus Treatment.

Using POST media, the system will remove phosphorus and reduce total suspended solids, dissolved copper and zinc entering Lake Whatcom.

Updated design

This project was originally planned for 2024 but was delayed until summer 2025 to address community input and keep construction within the watershed work window. In response to input, 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. The facility was originally planned to be partly constructed on the City’s 2000 Northshore property and in public City right-of-way on Donald Avenue and Northshore Drive. With the updated design, the majority of the project will be in the public right-of-way and only minor construction impacts will occur on the 2000 Northshore property.

View the 100% Design Plans

Bellingham City Council awarded the construction contract to Premium Services, Inc. on July 15, 2024 for $812,705.00.

The project was awarded a stormwater facility 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 Water Quality Combined Financial Assistance Agreement grant which expires June 30, 2025.

Protecting our local waters from pollution starts with how we manage our yards, vehicles, pet waste, and more. If you live on Lake Whatcom, you have a particularly important role to play in protecting Bellingham’s drinking water source! You can help by:

  • Replacing lawns and paved areas with native vegetation that can soak up pollutants from rainwater before they enter water bodies. See if you qualify for the City’s Homeowner Incentive Program, a program that connects landowners in the Lake Whatcom watershed with technical and financial assistance.
  • Using zero phosphorus fertilizer on your yard. Phosphorus-containing fertilizers, mulches, and soil amendments are prohibited within the Lake Whatcom watershed.
  • Properly disposing of pet waste and managing manure so these pollutants don’t enter the lake.
  • Washing your vehicle at a commercial car wash where stormwater is managed or washing your vehicle on your lawn or another pervious surface.

Find more Lake Whatcom stewardship solutions.

Contact

General project questions: AskPW@cob.org
Media inquiries: pwmedia@cob.org

Project Engineer
Jessica J. Bennett, P.E.
Phone: (360) 778-7923
Email: jjbennett@cob.org

Participating Departments

Affected Neighborhoods

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