Photo of Lake Whatcom by Caden Seyler

Lake Whatcom Vault Retrofits

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, this project is expected to treat polluted runoff (stormwater) from 60 acres of residential development, removing approximately 17 pounds of phosphorus from the watershed each year. This project is also intended to reduce the long-term operation and maintenance costs for the existing facilities.

Map showing where five stormwater facilities will be retrofitted along Lake Whatcom - on Lakeside Lane, Alabama/Electric, Connecticut Street, Poplar Drive, Academy Street
Phase 1 treatment facilities are located along Northshore on Connecticut Street, Poplar Drive, and Academy Street. The Phase 2 locations are located at Alabama Street/Electric Avenue and Lakeside Lane.

This project is one of several planned retrofits to stormwater facilities in the Lake Whatcom watershed that aim to help Bellingham meet its Lake Whatcom TMDL phosphorus reduction targets.

Phase 2 Details

Two more treatment facilities along Lake Whatcom will be assessed and retrofits will be designed with the same goals as Phase 1. The two locations are also shown in the vicinity map, located at Lakeside Lane/Lakeside Avenue and Alabama Street/Electric Avenue. The City has received another Department of Ecology grant to support project design.

Project Status – Spring 2026

We completed the 100% design plans and Ecology reviewed and approved our bid package. The project is open for bidding through mid-April, with construction expected in the summer.

Phase 2 design has been initiated, and we are working to complete the alternative analysis and site assessments.

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 phosphorus 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 existing stormwater facilities to improve phosphorus removal and reduce pollution in Lake Whatcom. Learn more:

  • July 2024 – Phase 1 project design begins. The engineering design contract was awarded to Herrera.
  • August 2024 – Phase 1 site assessments and Alternatives Analysis.
  • December 2024 – Phase 1 45% Design Package completed.
  • Summer 2025 – Phase 1 90% Design Package completed
  • Fall 2025 – Phase 2 Site Assessments and Alternatives Analysis.
  • Spring 2026 – Phase 1 construction contract expected to be awarded.
  • Summer 2026 – Construction expected to begin for Phase 1. Phase 2 90% Design Package. Construction grant funds for Phase 2 to be pursued.

Limited construction impacts are expected for this project since the vault facilities are located off of roadways. More information will be provided once designs are finalized.

The project was awarded a 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 DOE grant which expires June 30, 2027 for Phase 1.

The City also received a Department of Ecology grant to support project design of Phase 2.

Contact

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

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

Participating Departments

Affected Neighborhoods

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