### Meeting Overview The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee met on March 4, 2025, to discuss water conservation goals and wastewater treatment upgrades. Committee members Hannah Stone (chair), Lisa Anderson, and Jace Cotton (remote) reviewed a 10-year water efficiency plan and received a briefing on a $40 million air pollution control project at the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Water Use Efficiency Program:** State-mandated conservation program requiring municipal water providers to set goals and implement measures to reduce water consumption and ensure long-term supply reliability. **Single Family Residential Account:** The billing category used by the city to measure water consumption per household connection, averaging 154 gallons per day per account. **Distribution System Leakage Standard:** State requirement that water systems maintain leakage at 10% or less, calculated as the difference between water production and consumption. **Quad-L Regulatory Standard:** More stringent federal air pollution regulations for sewage sludge incinerators that Post Point will likely need to meet within 3-5 years. **Multiple Hearth Incinerators:** The technology currently used at Post Point to burn sewage sludge, reducing its mass by about 90% before disposal. **Air Pollution Control Equipment (APC):** Systems that clean emissions from incinerators before release to atmosphere, including devices like electrostatic precipitators and thermal oxidizers. **Water Resources Advisory Board (RAB):** Community board that reviews and recommends water-related policies to City Council. **PFAS:** "Forever chemicals" that don't break down naturally and are increasingly found in wastewater systems, creating disposal challenges. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Committee Chair, First Ward Council Member | | Lisa Anderson | Committee Member, Fifth Ward Council Member | | Jace Cotton | Committee Member, At-Large Council Member (remote) | | Riley Grant | Public Works Communications & Outreach Manager | | Mike Olinger | Interim Public Works Co-Director | | Casey Gish | Brown and Caldwell Engineer/Project Manager | | Matt Stamps | Assistant City Attorney | ### Background Context Bellingham faces two significant infrastructure challenges requiring substantial investment. First, state law mandates water conservation planning every six years to ensure long-term water supply reliability. The city has successfully met previous conservation goals, maintaining summer water demand below targets except during the 2021 heat dome event. Second, federal air quality regulations are tightening for sewage sludge incinerators. Post Point's incinerators currently meet existing standards but will likely need upgrades within 3-5 years to meet more stringent "Quad-L" requirements. These upgrades are necessary to avoid regulatory violations and continue operating the plant's waste disposal system. Both projects reflect broader infrastructure maintenance needs as aging systems require updates to meet evolving environmental standards. The water efficiency program costs about $200,000 annually and is funded through water rates. The air pollution control upgrades represent a much larger $40 million investment over four years, requiring rate increases for sewer customers. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee unanimously approved the 2025-2035 water use efficiency plan, which sets a goal of keeping single-family residential water use below 154 gallons per day per account. The plan includes nine conservation measures including rebate programs, high water use notifications, and partnerships with low-income weatherization programs. Staff then presented the Post Point air pollution control upgrades project, estimated at $40 million over four years. The project will install new emission control equipment to meet anticipated federal regulations. Council members expressed concern about the high cost and questioned whether alternatives like trucking waste to landfills might be more cost-effective long-term. Staff emphasized this is not a short-term fix but a 30-year solution that positions the city for regulatory compliance while buying time for emerging technologies to mature. ### What to Watch Next - Water system plan will come to Council in spring/summer 2025 for adoption - Rate study presentation scheduled for next month covering water, sewer, and stormwater rates - Post Point air pollution control project bid award expected in late 2026 - Continued monitoring of PFAS regulations and emerging wastewater treatment technologies ---

**Q:** What is the new water conservation goal for 2025-2035? **A:** Keep consumption below 154 gallons per day per single-family residential account. **Q:** How often is the city required to update water efficiency goals? **A:** Every six years or when the water system plan is updated, whichever aligns better. **Q:** What committee vote was taken on the water efficiency plan? **A:** Unanimous approval 3-0 to recommend adoption to full Council. **Q:** What is the estimated cost of the Post Point air pollution upgrades? **A:** Approximately $40 million over four years including design, permitting, and construction. **Q:** Who is Riley Grant? **A:** Public Works Communications & Outreach Manager who presented the water efficiency program. **Q:** What happened to water demand during the 2021 heat dome? **A:** It spiked above the city's target for the first time in five years, affecting water providers regionwide. **Q:** What is the Quad-L regulatory standard? **A:** More stringent federal air pollution requirements for incinerators that Post Point will likely need to meet within 3-5 years. **Q:** What technology does Post Point currently use for sewage sludge? **A:** Two multiple hearth incinerators that burn sludge to reduce its mass before disposal. **Q:** How much could trucking waste to landfills cost? **A:** Approximately $70 million over 10 years, including capital costs to set up loading facilities. **Q:** What are the nine water conservation measures in the plan? **A:** Include rebate programs, high water use notifications, rate structure evaluation, direct install for low-income households, and education programs. **Q:** When was the last incinerator permitted in Washington state? **A:** 1992 - Post Point was the last one permitted, making new incinerator permits extremely unlikely. **Q:** What is PFAS and why does it matter? **A:** "Forever chemicals" that don't break down naturally, creating new challenges for wastewater treatment and disposal methods. **Q:** How will these projects be funded? **A:** Water efficiency through water rates, air pollution controls through sewer rates, with rate study coming next month. **Q:** What is the Water Resources Advisory Board's role? **A:** Community board that reviews and recommends water-related policies - they supported this efficiency plan. **Q:** When will the air pollution control project return to Council? **A:** Late 2026 for bid award, after design and engineering work is completed. **Q:** What alternative technologies were considered for Post Point? **A:** Fluidized bed incinerators and anaerobic digestion, but both were more expensive and carried higher risks. **Q:** How many students participate in the water school program annually? **A:** About 1,000 fifth graders throughout Bellingham Public Schools learn about water conservation. **Q:** What changed in 2022 to help customers monitor water use? **A:** The city switched from quarterly to monthly billing so customers can see consumption more regularly. ---