Water System Plan Update

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Water system plans help cities make lots of important decisions, such as planning for population growth, protecting our wildlife, and using water sustainably. The goal of a water system plan is to make sure we understand current and future demands on the system so we can ensure everyone has reliable access to clean, safe drinking water now and in the future.

The draft plan has been submitted to the Washington State Department of Health for review and comment. There will be a public hearing prior to the plan's formal adoption by City Council.

Read the engagement report here.

Water system plans help cities make lots of important decisions, such as planning for population growth, protecting our wildlife, and using water sustainably. The goal of a water system plan is to make sure we understand current and future demands on the system so we can ensure everyone has reliable access to clean, safe drinking water now and in the future.

The draft plan has been submitted to the Washington State Department of Health for review and comment. There will be a public hearing prior to the plan's formal adoption by City Council.

Read the engagement report here.

Ask a Question

To ask a question of the project team, leave a comment below. To request a briefing, please email us at wsp@cob.org 

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  • Share Is the risk of a multi-year draught factored into the new plan. I see where there are different usage levels and various storage capacities, but what happens is the water sources are deficient for several years. on Facebook Share Is the risk of a multi-year draught factored into the new plan. I see where there are different usage levels and various storage capacities, but what happens is the water sources are deficient for several years. on Twitter Share Is the risk of a multi-year draught factored into the new plan. I see where there are different usage levels and various storage capacities, but what happens is the water sources are deficient for several years. on Linkedin Email Is the risk of a multi-year draught factored into the new plan. I see where there are different usage levels and various storage capacities, but what happens is the water sources are deficient for several years. link

    Is the risk of a multi-year draught factored into the new plan. I see where there are different usage levels and various storage capacities, but what happens is the water sources are deficient for several years.

    densob asked 4 months ago

    Yes, the draft Water System Plan takes climate change into account and is factored into water supply and demand. Depending on the scenario, demand projects are increased by a certain percentage. Additionally, we have a Water Shortage Contingency Plan from April 2015 which includes guidelines to manage our water supply and demand in case of drought. 

  • Share From the timeline it appears there are two opportunities for public comment. One by June 6th and then a public hearing in August. What is the purpose and difference between those two comment periods? on Facebook Share From the timeline it appears there are two opportunities for public comment. One by June 6th and then a public hearing in August. What is the purpose and difference between those two comment periods? on Twitter Share From the timeline it appears there are two opportunities for public comment. One by June 6th and then a public hearing in August. What is the purpose and difference between those two comment periods? on Linkedin Email From the timeline it appears there are two opportunities for public comment. One by June 6th and then a public hearing in August. What is the purpose and difference between those two comment periods? link

    From the timeline it appears there are two opportunities for public comment. One by June 6th and then a public hearing in August. What is the purpose and difference between those two comment periods?

    Carl Weimer asked 5 months ago

    The current draft is considered an “agency review draft” and has been submitted to the WA State Department of Health (DOH) and other agencies (such as neighboring water districts, Whatcom County, native nations/tribes, and the public) for review. The June 6th deadline is primarily for the other agencies, various City departments, and the public to submit comments to be considered and that may be submitted as a supplement to the version that is being reviewed by the DOH. The public hearing will be the formal process for adopting the Water System Plan once final review is completed by DOH.

     Please let us know if you have any further questions! 

  • Share Is the discharge outfall from Bellingham WWTP pure enough, and is it being reused in a “purple pipe” distribution system? What is MGD outfall amount on Facebook Share Is the discharge outfall from Bellingham WWTP pure enough, and is it being reused in a “purple pipe” distribution system? What is MGD outfall amount on Twitter Share Is the discharge outfall from Bellingham WWTP pure enough, and is it being reused in a “purple pipe” distribution system? What is MGD outfall amount on Linkedin Email Is the discharge outfall from Bellingham WWTP pure enough, and is it being reused in a “purple pipe” distribution system? What is MGD outfall amount link

    Is the discharge outfall from Bellingham WWTP pure enough, and is it being reused in a “purple pipe” distribution system? What is MGD outfall amount

    Jim Conlan asked 5 months ago

    Thanks for your questions! Our effluent water meets or exceeds the requirements from the Washington State Department of Ecology. We do reuse some of the treated water within the Wastewater Treatment Plant itself, but nowhere else. The volume being discharged from the plant varies based on how much is entering the plant. The average flow is around 12 MGD. Capacity of the plant is 72 MGD. 

  • Share Hi....does the City system remove PFAs? Thank you, Mike McAuley on Facebook Share Hi....does the City system remove PFAs? Thank you, Mike McAuley on Twitter Share Hi....does the City system remove PFAs? Thank you, Mike McAuley on Linkedin Email Hi....does the City system remove PFAs? Thank you, Mike McAuley link

    Hi....does the City system remove PFAs? Thank you, Mike McAuley

    Mike McAuley asked about 1 year ago

    Fortunately, Bellingham’s drinking water source, Lake Whatcom, is free from known industrial sources of PFAS, and all testing done to date show no presence of PFAS. The technology to find these compounds in very low levels is improving, though for PFAS, there really is no safe level. The City’s priority is to stay informed, to confirm no presence of PFAS in our drinking water, and to continue to take steps necessary to protect our community’s health. For more information, check out: cob.org/contaminants-of-emerging-concern

Page last updated: 15 Jul 2025, 07:33 AM