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October & November 2020
The blue sky backdrop to this Whatcom blueberry field is not an everyday fall view. The rain is here and it's time to implement wet season best practices for reducing fecal bacteria sources in our watersheds. Recent sampling runs during rain events have resulted in elevated bacteria across the county, as shown in the interactive water quality map. This has resulted in higher bacteria concentrations at many marine stations, particularly in Portage Bay.  Let's work together to tackle the different bacteria sources entering our waterways and turn this pattern back around. This E-News issue includes community resources to help with the wet season and an update on water quality results.  Please share these resources with your neighbors!
Let those troublesome muddy areas be a problem of your past.  The Whatcom Conservation District (CD) certified farm planners can help you identify projects that will help with manure and mud management during the wet season.  The Whatcom CD provides free and confidential farm visits and follow up with resources and recommendations to help you meet your farm goals!  
Small Farm Rebates.  Reimbursement for up to $200 for these projects.
  • Barn Gutters and Outlets.  Install barn gutters and outlet systems to keep roof water where you want it, away from your animals' space. 
  • Heavy Use Area Footing Materials.  Install a heavy use area with proper footing materials to prevent pastures from becoming a muddy hassle.
  • New this fall! Fencing. Install temporary fencing to keep mud and manure away from waterways.
 Call the Whatcom CD at 360.526.2381 to learn more about the small farm rebate program. 
Get a FREE tarp from the Whatcom Conservation District!   Call 360-526-2381
A tarp covering helps the nutrients you want in the manure stay in place instead of washing away as pollution into surface water. 
Extra stress on septic systems.  We're all staying home more these days, and your septic system might be feeling stressed from the extra use.  A septic evaluation can help catch small problems before they become big, messy, and expensive ones.  Prevent hassles and headaches this winter season and schedule an evaluation with a licensed septic professional.
Online training and rebates are available.  Complete the Whatcom County Health Department's online septic system training to become certified to evaluate your own system (check eligibility for your system) and qualify for a septic maintenance rebate. Save money and have confidence in knowing how your system works.  Receive up to $200 back through our rebate program.   Click here for the Septic Rebate Program Under COVID-19 Restrictions 

Urban wildlife are a part of the water quality puzzle too! We could use your help for understanding how urban wildlife may contribute to water quality hot spots. Share your neighborhood’s “raccoon highway” through the Whatcom Wildlife Tracker. Open and save the link as a bookmark to submit your next wildlife sighting!  
Stay up to date on our social media communications and share our posts and resources with your friends by following the Whatcom County Public Works and Whatcom Conservation District Facebook pages.  www.facebook.com/WhatcomCountyPublicWorks/ 
www.facebook.com/WhatcomCD/
Portage Bay Marine Sites: Dots indicate the 90th percentile at each site for the last 30 samples (April 2018- November 2020).  Red sites exceed the standard (>43 MPN/100mL), orange sites are ‘Threatened’ (30-43 MPN/100mL), yellow sites are ‘Of Concern’ (20-30 MPN/100mL), and green sites are ‘Well Within’ standards (<20 MPN/100mL).  This data includes elevated bacteria results observed during the fall closure season.  The recent  November sampling results had low salinity levels and elevated bacteria concentrations, which led to increases in the estimated 90th percentiles at the majority of marine sites. Estimated 90th percentiles for three sites (red circles) moved from the threatened category to exceeding the thresholds for the prohibited category.  These 90th percentiles are the highest that have been observed in Portage Bay since 2015.
Drayton Harbor Marine Sites.  Dots indicate the 90th percentile at each site for the last 30 samples (February 2018 – November 2020).   Red sites exceed the standard (> 43 MPN/100mL), orange are ‘Threatened’ (30-43 MPN/100mL), yellow are ‘Of Concern’ (20-30 MPN/100mL), green are ‘Well Within’ standards (<20 MPN/100mL) and blue are <10MPN/100mL. The 90th percentile for the last 30 samples were mostly unchanged for October and November samples with the exception of the stations near the mouths of California and Dakota Creeks (orange oval). The heavy rain prior to the marine sampling run in November resulted in very elevated bacteria results at stations 378 and 379 (170 and 240 MPN/100mL, respectively).  Other sites in Drayton Harbor were moderately elevated (11-33 MPN/100mL). 
Similar to the patterns seen in the marine water, the large amounts of rainfall caused bacteria to flow into freshwater systems across the county. The freshwater results showed elevated bacteria during sampling in November. The water quality summaries linked below include details of the most recent results. Every small action to protect water quality during this rainy fall season will be important and community collaboration is key to improving water quality!
Other Program Links:
Whatcom County Public Work’s PIC (Pollution, Identification, and Correction) Program uses water quality monitoring (collecting samples in creeks, rivers, and bays) to identify priority areas for improvement programs and provides community outreach and education, technical and financial assistance for landowners, and coordination with County departments and other agencies to identify and address potential bacteria sources polluting our waterways.
PIC Program Website
Facebook
Website
Email
Our contact information:
322 N. Commercial Street Suite 110
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360)778-6230
PICProgram@co.whatcom.wa.us

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This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement PC-01J18001 through the Washington State Department of Health. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Washington State Department of Health, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.






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Whatcom County Public Works · 322 N Commercial St Ste 110 · Bellingham, WA 98225-4042 · USA

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