The Bellingham City Council, the Whatcom County Council and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Commission will discuss potential improvements to the water quality in the Lake Whatcom Reservoir during a joint meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, in Bellingham City Council Chambers, located at 210 Lottie St. in downtown Bellingham.

Council staff will also be available to answer questions about water-quality improvement during an open house from 6-6:30 p.m. There will be opportunities for public comments during the joint meeting, as well.

The meeting will also be filmed and later aired on BTV10 and on the city’s website.

Members from the three legislative bodies will be briefed on the accomplishments of the 2013 Lake Whatcom Management Program and new actions planned for this year. The joint council will also consider a resolution setting expectations for a long-term plan to reduce levels of phosphorus and fecal coliform in the lake.

The Lake Whatcom Reservoir serves as the source of drinking water for the city of Bellingham and surrounding areas. Nearly half of Whatcom County’s residents get their drinking water from the lake.

Please Consider Disabling Your Ad Blocker



Efforts have been underway for decades to control pollution in Lake Whatcom, and officials say new regulations and storm-water management projects have seen success in reducing harmful water contaminants. Yet Lake Whatcom’s water quality remains below standards set by the U.S. Clean Water Act.