Water Reservoir Groundbreaking Event
Back to Announcements Published on 04/29/2024Federal, State and Local Government Officials and Public Welcome
The Board of Commissioners of the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District welcome the public to celebrate the start of construction of two new water reservoirs that will serve the Sudden Valley community into the foreseeable future. The groundbreaking event will be held at 3:00 p.m. this Thursday, May 2nd, at the reservoir site (due to parking constraints, attendees are encouraged to park at the District’s water treatment plant, 28 Morning Beach Drive, Bellingham, WA, for shuttle to/from the event). Invitees include U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, Washington State legislators of the 40th and 42nd districts, and officials representing the Washington State Public Works Board, Washington State Military Department, Whatcom County, South Whatcom Fire Authority, and the Sudden Valley Community Association.
The project consists of replacing an existing 50+ year old reservoir with two new reservoirs that meet current seismic standards and are outfitted with a seismic-actuated valve connected to the ShakeAlert® earthquake early warning system. Funding for the $3 million project includes a Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) hazard mitigation grant, a congressional earmark through U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division funding, and a low interest loan through the Washington State Public Works Board.
“The District Board of Commissioners is excited to welcome our federal, state and local government partners in celebrating the start of construction of a critical new component to our drinking water system,” said District Board President Todd Citron. “Without their support, the addition of these reservoirs, which will add resiliency to and enhance operational flexibility within our water distribution system, would not have been possible.”