STORMWATER

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater runoff — water from rainfall or snowmelt that moves over the ground — is the most common cause of water pollution. In Whatcom County, most storm drains lead straight to streams, lakes, or marine waters — whatever goes into your storm drain can end up, untreated, in local waters.  In developed areas, stormwater runoff poses two types of problems — water quantity and quality.
 
Quantity. In an undeveloped area such as a forest, much of the water from rainfall and snowmelt is absorbed by soil, which slowly releases excess water over time. But as land is covered with impervious surfaces such as rooftops, roads, and parking lots, there are fewer places where stormwater can be absorbed by soil. The greater amount of stormwater runoff, and the related increase in the speed of stormwater flow, erodes soil and adds to flooding problems.

Quality. As stormwater travels over the ground and impervious surfaces it collects pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizers, bacteria and other microscopic organisms, sediment, oil, and many other pollutants. Unless it's filtered or treated, stormwater carries those pollutants into rivers, lakes, and the ocean.

What is being done about polluted stormwater runoff?

Preventing pollutants and debris from making their way into ditches, streets, and storm drains is the first step towards dealing with stormwater runoff issues.  The City and County both regularly run street sweepers throughout the watershed to prevent polluted and nutrient-rich stormwater from entering into our streams and lakes.

Stormwater retrofits are structural designs that assist in mitigating stormwater runoff pollution from entering into a waterbody, such as Lake Whatcom.

The City of Bellingham has completed several stormwater retrofit projects in the watershed. The retrofits include rain gardens that use native vegetation that naturally filter pollutants from stormwater, and various media filter cartridge systems. The following provide examples of stormwater retrofits:

• Northshore Drive improvements - retrofit of the street to include porous bike lanes, which serve as part of the enhanced stormwater drainage system, as well as sidewalks made of porous concrete
• Bloedel Donovan parking lot - two rain gardens, two media filter cartridge systems, treats 2.7 acres
• Electric Avenue - sand filters, media cartridges
• Alabama Street - media cartridges, combined with Electric Ave treats 16.2 acres
• E. Connecticut - media cartridges, treats 25.8 acres
• Park Place Pond - media testing in 2004, treats 98 acres

For more information about actions being taken to reduce stormwater impacts refer to the stormwater section under Management Program Areas under Programs and Projects.

What can you do to help reduce impacts of stormwater runoff?

It is very important to understand that reducing the source of pollutants before they get a chance to be transported by stormwater is one of the best ways to protect water quality. 

To assist citizens in taking steps to reduce stormwater impacts at their source a number of educational materials have been developed - a number of them are listed below.  More information about these materials and how they may be accessed is provided in the "Stewardship Solutions" section of this website. 

• A Lake-Friendly Gardening Kit is available with tips and alternatives to reduce fertilizer and pesticide use, as well as erosion control tips.
• In the Lake Whatcom Watershed, Erosion Control Standards exist for the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County to prevent sediments from entering into Lake Whatcom and our streams at construction sites.  The Lake Whatcom Watershed Homebuilding Series provides regulatory guidance to those who are building their own home. 
• Motorized vehicles provide transportation, but also use a variety of fluids that contain chemicals and compounds that can be harmful to water quality.  Preventing them from entering into our storm drains and into Lake Whatcom is essential for source water protection.
• Pet Waste Education, Programs, and Mutt-Mitt Stations are available to prevent bacteria and nutrients associated with pet waste from entering into streams and Lake Whatcom.
• Hobby Farms can contribute excessive nutrients and bacteria to our streams and lakes, especially during rain events.  We have some tips for reducing impacts from hobby farms.   
• The presence of Urban Wildlife, such as geese, can be a potential source of bacteria and nutrients.  Learn about buffers and vegetation that can help keep waterfowl feces from entering our waterbodies.