Whatcom County Public Works

Are you 2 Weeks Ready?

Washington Emergency Management recommends keeping enough supplies at home to last at least two weeks after a disaster. You don't have to build your emergency supplies all at once. Start with the basics, consider the everyday needs of everyone in your household, and add supplies over time.

You'll also want a smaller grab-and-go bag with essential supplies in case you need to leave home quickly.

Learn how to get 2 Weeks Ready, including what to keep at home and what to pack in a grab-and-go bag: https://mil.wa.gov/kits

Fall Tip Friday: Keep excess water out of your septic system! Install gutters and make sure rain runoff is diverted away from ALL parts of your septic system. Get your system inspected to make sure your lids and risers are water tight. Rebates are available. Learn more at www.whatcomcounty.us/SepticRebate

Have old paint cans gathering dust in the garage? Here's your chance to get rid of them!

Learn more and sign up at: https://circular.eco/event/Bellingham26

Clean water means a healthy sea and a thriving local economy. One of the world’s most vibrant inland seas, the Salish Sea is home to: Orca, grey, minke, and Humpback whales, sea otters, elephant & harbor seals, California & Steller sea lions, 5 species of salmon, 170+ bird species, and 260+ types of fish! Clean water is essential to all these animals and supports fishing, tourism, maritime industries & coastal communities. Let’s keep it that way. What you do on land matters in the water! Visit Whatcom CD this weekend at SeaFeast to learn more: www.bellinghamseafeast.org

Dirty water harms water quality and aquatic life. Did you know that there are special rules limiting ground disturbance during the rainy season in the Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, and Lake Padden watersheds? If you live in one of these watersheds, activities like clearing vegetation, adding topsoil, or any other activity that moves or exposes soil is limited starting October 1 to protect water quality in these sensitive watersheds. Learn more: http://whatcomcounty.us/860/Watershed-Regulations

Do you think your dog is the cutest? They just might be… There are only a few more days to enter the We Scoop Dog Photo contest. It’s easy to enter: just fill out the entry form, take the We Scoop pledge, and submit your best dog photo online. Winning pups will be featured in our future ads, and winning owners will receive a scooping prize pack! Enter online at www.whatcomcounty.us/ScoopPoop

2026 We Scoop Photo Contest and We Scoop Prize Drawing | Whatcom County, WA - Official Website Photo contest for dog owners.

Do you know the flood risk where you live?

Knowing the hazards around your home is an important part of being prepared. Whatcom County’s Natural Hazards Explorer lets you explore flood and other natural hazard information for locations throughout the county.

Take a few minutes to look up your area and learn more about the hazards around you: https://ow.ly/alpw50ZPTuV

Flood Preparedness Week is October 12–16. We’ll be sharing more resources and simple steps you can take to prepare before flooding happens.

Never pour paint, cleaning products, or pesticides down storm drains! Hazardous materials entering storm drains can contaminate our waterways and harm wildlife.
You can properly dispose of hazardous waste for free at Whatcom County’s Disposal of Toxics facility! Let’s keep our water safe and our environment healthy. Learn more about the Disposal of Toxics at whatcomcounty.us/HHW.

Fall Tip Friday! Temporary fences are a useful tool for managing pastures and manure. Keeping animals off of soggy pastures helps reduce soil compaction, hoof rot, and the mixing of manure with mud. Take advantage of Whatcom County’s rebate program and get up to $500 back on the purchase of temporary fencing or the infrastructure that supports it! Visit www.whatcomcounty.us/2909/Small-Farm-Improvement-Rebates

Ensure your septic tank is pumped at regular intervals as recommended by a professional and/or local permitting authority. Learn more at www.epa.gov/septic

Asegúrese de bombear el tanque séptico con frecuencia, siguiendo las recomendaciones de un profesional o de las autoridades locales. Obtenga más información en www.epa.gov/septic