Routine Water Quality Monitoring Results

Whatcom County Public Works coordinates a routine water quality monitoring program at a fixed-network of approximately 90 sites in County watersheds that discharge to marine waters. Samples are collected at least monthly and analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria. The data are used to prioritize drainages for water quality improvement programs and to characterize general patterns in declining and improving water quality. Additional sampling is conducted in focus areas where elevated fecal coliform levels have been seen consistently and water quality improvement programs are being implemented.   
WCPW_Routine_Monitoring_forPICwebsite


Routine Monitoring Locations


 Watershed Number of Sites Sampling Frequency
 Drayton Harbor 30 freshwater, 14 marine Monthly
 Nooksack River (Portage Bay) 19 freshwater, 12 marine Bi-monthly
 Birch Bay/Terrell Creek 29 freshwater, 9 marine Monthly/Bi-monthly
 Chuckanut 7 freshwater, 5 marine Bi-monthly

  *Locations and frequency of sampling may fluctuate throughout the year. 

Routine Water Quality Sampling Results

Please check the interactive county-wide water quality maps for current water quality data.

See map above for watershed delineations.
 
 **Please note, the water quality summaries now reflect an update to Washington State water quality standards for fecal bacteria in the Birch Bay watershed. The current benchmarks used for fecal coliform are consistent with the benchmarks used for other watersheds evaluated by the PIC Program. Meeting these fecal coliform benchmarks in freshwater systems leads to satisfying the Washington State marine water standards to protect public health.