Little Squalicum Creek Water Quality Improvements Phase 2

Proposed Project Overview

This proposed 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 Birchwood neighborhood. This second phase is expected to add underground stormwater treatment vaults at the following intersections:

  • Nome and Illinois Streets
  • Pinewood and Cedarwood Avenues
  • Pinewood and Birchwood Avenues

These underground vaults hold material that filters pollution out of stormwater flowing off roofs, streets, and other surfaces, cleaning the stormwater before it enters the creek, estuary, and Bellingham Bay.

Smaller above-ground bioretention facilities (called bioswales) will also be installed along the Pinewood corridor. Bioswales are essentially shallow, landscaped ditches or channels that are designed to slow down, collect, and filter stormwater runoff using plants, soil, and sometimes gravel.

Prior to this project, stormwater entered Little Squalicum Creek mostly untreated. After the completion of all four phases, stormwater will be treated from more than 300 acres of land, supporting salmon and other species that rely on the creek, estuary, and Bellingham Bay.

Watermain Replacement

While adding stormwater improvements in the area, we also plan to replace a 100-year-old watermain located under West Illinois from just west of the northern entrance to Bellingham Technical College to Lafayette Street. Replacing the watermain will allow the City to continue to carry clean water to the surrounding homes and businesses.

Map showing that there will be vaults and bioswales installed in multiple locations along Pinewood Avenue
Proposed location of stormwater treatment facilities and watermain replacement.

Project Status – Summer 2025

This project is currently under design, at a 60% level. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026. The first phase of this project was recently constructed.

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More Information

What is stormwater? It’s rainwater that falls to the ground and flows into waterways, picking up pollutants on the way, such as vehicle oil, chemicals, soap, bacteria from pet waste and more.

Protecting our local waters from pollution starts with how we manage our yards, vehicles, pet waste, and more. You can help by:

Learn more about what you can do to protect water quality

This project will be funded by a Department of Ecology Water Quality Combined Financial Assistance Agreement and the City’s stormwater fund.

Learn more about the other phases of this project:

  • Phase 1
  • Phase 3
  • Phase 4 (more information will be available in future)

Contact

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

Project Engineer
Kyle Carlson, P.E.
Phone: (360) 778-7946
Email: kmcarlson@cob.org

Participating Departments

Affected Neighborhoods

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