Advocacy group’s pollution report raises red flags about Bellingham’s waterfront
A week after several Whatcom County beaches were posted as unsafe for swimming, a local environmental advocacy group has released a report that it says shows high levels of pollution near where stormwater drains into Bellingham Bay.
Meanwhile, the city of Bellingham said it was investigating possible sources of the contamination.
“Protecting public health and safety is our top priority, and clean water is essential for that,” Bellingham Public Works Director Eric Johnston said in a statement late Wednesday.
“We take all reports of possible contamination seriously. Our team of scientists, engineers, and technicians are dedicated to tracking down and eliminating sources of pollution in our waterways. We take all reports of possible contamination seriously.”
To collect data for its report, Re Sources used volunteers working with the North Sound Waterkeeper team to take samples at “outfalls,” or places where runoff from streets and sidewalks is channeled into pipes that empty into the bay — locations near Taylor Dock, Squalicum Creek and the foot of Cornwall Avenue.
“Unlike wastewater from sinks and toilets, stormwater is not treated. Every storm drain flows directly into Bellingham Bay,” Re Sources said in its report, which features data collected in 2023.
“Stormwater is the Salish Sea’s leading source of pollutants, since all that wonderful rain our region gets washes every bit of brake dust, unscooped dog poop, litter and more into these outfalls.”
About 75% of toxic chemicals entering Puget Sound comes from stormwater, Re Sources said.
Five of the six stormwater outfalls and three of the four creek mouths that Re Sources sampled were rated at the “threat” level for E. coli contamination as defined by the state Department of Ecology, Re Sources said. The state threshold is 100 “colony-forming units” of E. coli per 100 milliliters of water. Anything below that level is “good,” according to Ecology.
“This means that the water coming from these outfalls and creeks is likely contributing to an already contaminated Bellingham Bay. They frequently violate water quality standards and/or are located where people commonly spend time on the water,” Re Sources said.
Consistently high levels of fecal bacteria, including E. coli, were found at the Bennett Street outfall near the boardwalk at the south end of Boulevard Park, Re Sources said. The most contaminated site tested was the beach between the Chrysalis Inn and the “Grace” statue.
Bellingham officials cautioned against swimming in that area on June 6, when routine testing by the Whatcom County Department of Health and Community Services on May 31 found high levels of fecal bacterial, including E. coli.
Health and Community Services issued swimming advisories on June 6 for Birch Bay beach and tidelands as well as Wildcat Cove and Larrabee State Park.
Advisories for Larrabee State Park, Wildcat Cove and Birch Bay Beach and tidelands were lifted Thursday.
Swimming in fecal-contaminated water can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses, Ecology said. Children and immunocompromised people may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.
‘We recommend showering after swimming and washing hands before eating if you’ve been in contact with the water or sand,” Ecology said in a statement.
This story was originally published June 13, 2024 at 9:50 AM.
