Every day, people in Bellingham wash dishes, shower, brush teeth, and flush sending between 8 and 72 million gallons of wastewater mixed with some stormwater, through a complex system of pipes and pumps to the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
What arrives in the wastewater (called load) is as important as the quantity (or flow). Some days the amount of solid and dissolved, organic material or Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) touches or exceeds the rated capacity of the plant.
Treated wastewater entering Bellingham Bay from our plant consistently meets or exceeds all state and federal standards designed to protect public health and the environment. However, as the plant reaches capacity for both "load" and "flow", we must make improvements to be able to continue to meet wastewater requirements and serve our community safely and effectively in the future.
To address this need, a City-hired consultant team has prepared several improvement alternatives for review and consideration. These recommendations, which will be the subject of extensive review during 2010, are consistent with the Comprehensive Sewer Plan adopted by City Council in 2009, and Council's adopted Legacies and Strategic Commitments (PDF) of Healthy Environment, Quality, Responsive City Services, and Access to Quality of Life Amenities.
The City is committed to protecting and improving the health of Bellingham Bay, the site of the wastewater plant discharge. City staff continually monitor the wastewater system to both deliver efficient, effective wastewater treatment and to provide accurate information about water quality and nutrient loads.
Since 2005, data collected clearly demonstrates an upward trend in influent Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD). The plant continues to approach rated capacity for effectively treating the influent. Using current data, consultants recommend capacity improvements begin in 2012 to meet the projected community needs in 2014 and beyond.
The City initiated the Comprehensive Sewer Plan in 2006 recognizing the importance of planning, developing, and financing sewer system facilities. It is the City's intent to provide appropriate, safe, reliable sewer service at a fair and reasonable price to customers while protecting and preserving the environment. The adopted plan meets the requirements of state, county and local jurisdictions including the Washington State Department of Ecology.
City officials have and will continue to use Triple Bottom Line + methodology (PDF) to guide these project decisions. Triple Bottom Line + analyzes the environmental, economic, social and technical components of various improvement alternatives to assist stakeholders and decision-makers.
Proposed improvements are consistent with the Council commitment to maintain and enhance publicly owned assets. Post Point provides not only the site of a well-maintained wastewater treatment facility, but also trails, open space and wildlife habitat close to a residential neighborhood. All improvement alternatives recognize the complexities presented by this blend.
The Comprehensive Sewer Plan (50,000K PDF) both continues prior work and provides the framework for the facilities-improvement planning process. Peer reviews, neighborhood meetings, City Council work sessions and public hearings will continue to provide opportunities for the community to understand and weigh in on alternatives.
Date Posted: Feb 11, 2010
