The Water Resource

The PUD supports the protection and efficient use of natural resources in Whatcom County. Water resource management or water supply planning can help increase water efficiency, promote water conservation, and enhance source protection. The PUD works with local and federal governmental including regional entities to develop solutions for effective water resource and supply management practices.

Learn more about projects that the PUD has taken on in relation to resource management, technical assistance programs and feasibility studies to better assist water resource stakeholders, such as farmers, cities, Whatcom County government, water districts and associations here in Whatcom County.

Resource Management Projects:

Drought Contingency Plan
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

On behalf of water resource stakeholders, such as farmers, cities, Whatcom County government, water districts and associations, and others who wish to build resiliency to drought and climate change in Whatcom County, the PUD submitted an application for funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to assist in developing a drought contingency plan for Whatcom County.

Click on the link to read more about the process and Plan:  Drought Contingency Plan

Technical Support Program Pilot
Washington State Department of Health

On January 26, 2016, PUD Commissioners approved a request from the Washington State Department of Health to enter into a Grant Agreement (N218730) to conduct a two year pilot project where the Whatcom PUD engaged with all Group A water systems in Whatcom County.  The purpose was to identify Group A systems needs and to develop a support/training program for these systems to sustain their operations and manage their systems. The $200,000 grant was completed on December 31, 2018, using only 85% of the total grant amount.

Click on the link to learn more about the pilot, or to view or download the report:  DOH Technical Support Program Pilot

South Lake Samish Water Supply Feasibility Study

Under a grant received by the PUD, from the State Department of Health, Dave Olson (Cornerstone Management) worked with the State DOH, State Department of Ecology, Whatcom County Health Department and property owners in the south Lake Samish area to complete a study to determine best options for bringing water supply to residents in the south Lake Samish area.  The study was completed in 2014.

Due to file size, the study has been divided into sections.
Final Study:
Pages 1 – 6
Pages 7 – 12
Pages 13 – 18
Pages 19-22
Pages 23-30
Pages 31-34

North Whatcom County Regional Source Feasibility Study

The Washington State Department of Health has determined that twelve community water systems in North Whatcom County were out of compliance with Drinking Water standards because their ground water supplies exceed the maximum contaminant limits (MCL) for nitrate and/or ethylene dibromide (EDB’s).

To assist these community water associations, Public Utility District No. 1 commissioned a two-part North Whatcom County Regional Source Feasibility Study which was funded by the Department of Health.  Part 1 of the Feasibility Study is now complete. Click here to view or download the study.

Water Resource Inventory Area 1 Watershed Management (WRIA1)

The WRIA 1 Watershed Management Project brings together citizens, local governments, tribes, and state and federal agencies to develop plans for allocating water, protecting water quality, and restoring fish habitat. Located in northwest Washington, Water Resource Inventory Area No. 1 (WRIA 1) encompasses the surface and ground water in the Nooksack River basin and certain adjacent watersheds.  Public Utility District No. 1 is one of the five initiating governments of the project along with Whatcom County, City of Bellingham, Lummi Nation, and the Nooksack Tribe.

Nooksack Source Protection Plan (NSPP)

The Nooksack Source Protection Plan was developed by the City of Lynden and Public Utility District #1 of Whatcom County in accordance with WAC-246-290-135 (4) and WAC-246-290-668.   For purposes of preparing the NSPP, the Nooksack Basin is divided into its four primary subbasins: North Fork, Middle Fork, South Fork and Lower Nooksack.

The focus of this document is on the areas above the City of Lynden and PUD water intakes.