This project (EU188) will replace the aging emergency power generators at the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. These generators provide essential backup power during outages or service disruptions, ensuring the facility can continue treating wastewater and protecting the environment without interruption, even during unexpected power outages.
The City installed the current generators in the early 1990s during a major plant upgrade that added secondary treatment facilities. While City Staff have diligently maintained the equipment, the generator units, switchgear, and control systems have exceeded their expected service life. Replacement parts are now difficult to source, and reliability is increasingly at risk.
The City has determined that routine replacement of these critical systems is necessary to maintain uninterrupted Wastewater Treatment operations at Post Point. Fulfilling this responsibility is essential for the City of Bellingham to protect public health and preserve environmental quality.
Project Status – 2025
The City of Bellingham initiated project design and permitting in 2023 and completed these steps in 2025. As of August 2025, the project is bidding for construction. You can find more information about City Project Bidding on the City’s Bid Portal.
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Construction will occur entirely within the fenced perimeter of the Post Point Resource Recovery Plant at 200 McKenzie Avenue, minimizing disruption to the surrounding community. While no impacts to street traffic or public access are expected, residents may notice increased truck activity and construction personnel parking near the facility from early 2026 through 2027 as upgrades are completed.
Before 2022, the City undertook a multi-year planning effort to explore replacing the plant’s sewage sludge incinerators (SSI units) with anaerobic digesters—a process known as the Biosolids Project. Anaerobic digestion uses bacteria to break down sewage sludge into biosolids, a compost-like material that can be sold and used as fertilizer. The process also produces biogas, a renewable energy source that can be used to generate electricity or refined into renewable natural gas.
As part of the proposed Biosolids Project, the City anticipated replacing and upgrading the plant’s Emergency Power Generators to support the digestion process.
However, anaerobic digestion does not eliminate certain toxic substances that may be present in wastewater, including Contaminants of Emerging Concern such as microplastics, fire retardants, PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), and PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls). As planning progressed, the City grew increasingly concerned about the potential risks of land-applying biosolids containing these contaminants. Cost was another major factor, with project estimates ranging from $200 million to $1 billion.
In September 2022, the City decided to discontinue the anaerobic digestion proposal and instead focus on repairing, rehabilitating, and upgrading the plant’s existing incinerators. The Emergency Generator Replacement project stems directly from that decision, and will ensure the plant continues to operate effectively—even during power outages—safeguarding local waterways and public health. The new generators will match the size and configuration of the current units.
The City estimates the total project cost at $7,000,000, which includes design, permitting, construction contract, and construction management expenses. The City of Bellingham Sewer Fund is paying for project expenses. Revenue for this fund comes from City utility rates.
- Project design: Started in mid-2023
- Construction Contract: The contract is out for bid. Award of the Construction Contract is anticipated for Fall 2025
- Expected construction start date: December 2025
- Expected construction end date: 2027
Contact
General project questions: AskPW@cob.org
Media inquiries: Email pwmedia@cob.org
Project Manager
Stephen Day, Plants Engineer
Phone: (360) 778-7944
Email: smday@cob.org
