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 (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.

See below for close-up maps of the proposed stormwater treatment vaults and bioswales:

Map showing new 12 inch waterline under the road between Little Squalicum Park and Lafayette Road and new 8 foot by 30 foot underground vault near the corner of Nome Street and West Illinois Street
Map showing location of new underground waterline planned for West Illinois Street and new underground stormwater treatment vault near the intersection of West Illinois and Nome Streets.
Map showing one new 8 foot by 18 foot and one new 12 foot by 26 foot underground vault and a new bioswale on Pinewood Avenue
Map showing location of new underground stormwater treatment vaults planned for the Pinewood/Cedarwood intersection and new above-ground bioswale planned along Pinewood Avenue.
A map showing 2 new 8 foot by 25 foot and 2 new 8 foot by 23 foot underground vaults near the intersection of Birchwood Avenue and Pinewood Avenue and a new bioswale on Pinewood Avenue.
Map showing location of new underground stormwater treatment vaults planned near the Pinewood/Birchwood intersection and new above-ground bioswale planned along Pinewood Avenue.
Map showing two new bioswales on Pinewood Avenue near Birchwood Elementary School
Map showing location of new above-ground bioswales planned along Pinewood Avenue near Birchwood Elementary School.

Project Status – Spring 2026

The construction contract was awarded to Premium Services Inc. at the May 11 City Council meeting. Now that the contractor is selected, they will propose a construction timeline based on anticipated material delivery timing.

Our goal is to minimize construction impacts to Birchwood Elementary School and Bellingham Technical College by constructing this project in the summer, but the construction timeline will depend on material delivery.

The first phase of this project was constructed in 2025.

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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

The construction contract was awarded by Bellingham City Council to Premium Services Inc. in the amount of $2,446,733.69 on May 11, 2026. Funding sources include the Water fund, Storm and Surface Water Utility, and a Washington State Department of Ecology grant.

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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