Little Squalicum Creek Water Quality Improvements Phase 2

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 (stormwater) from the Birchwood neighborhood. This second phase replaces an aging watermain and adds underground stormwater treatment vaults at the following intersections:

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

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.

Stormwater treatment improvements

Underground vaults will be installed as part of this project. These 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.

Shallow above-ground, landscaped ditches (called bioswales) will also be installed along the Pinewood corridor. Bioswales 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.

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 – October/November 2026

Much of the construction work is complete and focus has shifted to restoring the affected areas. There may be intermittent lane closures. This work is expected to continue through November.

  • Watermain: The watermain replacement is complete.
  • Bioswales: The above-ground bioswales are partially complete. Final steps include adding pollution-filtering material and plants.
  • Vaults: The underground vaults are installed at Nome/Illinois, Pinewood/Cedarwood, and Pinewood/Birchwood intersections. The areas around these vaults will be restored.
  • Road repaving: All sections of the road that were dug up as part of this project will be re-paved. This work is dependent on weather.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during lane closures. We are coordinating with Bellingham School District on any detour routes needed for school buses going to and from Birchwood Elementary School.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during construction!

Large metal vault being placed under street
September 2026 – Installation of pipe and catch basins that will filter into a new stormwater treatment vault.
Excavator digging a trench in road for watermain replacement
July 2026 – Watermain replacement work.

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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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