Update #2: Pile driving work at Lake Whatcom ruptures underground sewer line
By Staff on September 12, 2024 7:16am
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — City of Bellingham Public Works Department posted the following to their website at about 10:40pm on Wednesday, September 11th.
A sewage spill occurred on September 11 at Lake Whatcom during construction work on the Electric Avenue bridge repair project.
At approximately 5:00 p.m., the contractor driving piles into the lake inadvertently struck an underground sewer line. Our technology had indicated the line was located in a different position, leading to the unexpected rupture. An estimated 25,000 to 50,000 gallons of raw sewage was released into the lake.
Swift action was taken to contain the spill and minimize its impact. The line was immediately shut off, and sewer service was redirected to an adjacent line, restoring service to the affected area.
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As a precautionary measure, access to the beach at Bloedel Donovan Park remains temporarily closed until water quality testing confirms that there are no residual concerns. Community members, including dogs, should avoid contact with water in the areas near Bloedel Donovan Park until we can confirm water quality impacts. While we anticipate that the spill will dilute as it mixes with other waters, we are monitoring the situation closely to assess any potential downstream or ecological effects.
The City of Bellingham is closely monitoring the situation and working with the contractor and regulatory agencies to address the spill and ensure the safety of the public and the environment. Updates on the situation will be provided as more information becomes available.
The Electric Street bridge project has been underway and the road recently closed to all traffic while work continues to make temporary repairs to reinforce the bridge structure.
Lake Whatcom is reportedly the drinking water source for 100,000 Whatcom County residents.
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Whatcom County Health and Community Services posted the following statement on their website about 10:30am on Thursday, September 12th.
At this time, the risk to direct draw users located away from the northwest side of the lake, who use treatment on their water systems, is low. However, the public health and environmental risk for water recreation near the northwest side of Lake Whatcom and through Whatcom Creek remains high.
The beach at Bloedel Donovan Park is temporarily closed as a precaution. The public, including pets, should avoid water contact in the area. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Bellingham Public Works issued the following updates about 12pm on September 12th.
There are no impacts to the City’s drinking water. The City’s water treatment plant intake is located over a mile upstream in Basin 2, far from the site of the spill. Additionally, our treatment plant is designed to remove a wide range of contaminants, including pathogens and other harmful substances that may be present in untreated sewage.
The boat launch remains open, but avoid water contact near the canoe launch, swimming area, and Scudder Pond until further notice.
The beach at Bloedel Donovan Park remains closed until the full test results are received.
Downstream impacts in Whatcom Creek are expected to be minimal. Flows from the dam were increased to help flush the system, diluting the contaminants as they work downstream. Staff are collecting water quality samples along Whatcom Creek, coordinating with Whatcom County Health and Community Services and will share results when they are available.
The sewage spill is not expected to delay the reopening of the Electric Avenue bridge next week.
