When you flip a light switch, turn on the tap, or see a fire truck rushing by, you probably don’t think about the system that makes it all work. But those everyday comforts depend on a huge network of pipes, power lines, and public services that keep our city running smoothly.

The Facilities and Services section of The Bellingham Plan is all about that behind-the-scenes magic. It lays out how Bellingham will make sure our infrastructure and public services keep pace with a growing population, while staying reliable, sustainable, and ready for the future.

Why It Matters

Bellingham is expected to grow by about 30,000 people over the next 20 years. That means more homes, more traffic, more water use, and more calls to city departments. Without careful planning, that growth could stretch our systems thin.

This part of the plan focuses on one simple but vital promise: as Bellingham grows, life should still work.

That means:

• Clean drinking water every time you turn on the tap

• Reliable power and broadband access

• Well-equipped fire and police stations

• Parks, libraries, and community centers that keep up with demand

• Storm drains and sewer systems that can handle bigger storms

Infrastructure might not sound exciting, but when it works well, it makes everything else in the city possible.

Why It’s Tricky

Updating pipes and power lines isn’t nearly as glamorous as a new park or downtown plaza, but it is every bit as important. The challenge is balancing maintenance of what we already have with investments in what we’ll need next.

There are also questions about where to expand services first, and how to pay for them. Should new development help fund system upgrades? How do we protect ratepayers from skyrocketing costs? The plan doesn’t shy away from these challenges it provides a roadmap for making smart, sustainable decisions.

What’s in the Plan

The Facilities and Services chapter focuses on six big areas of city infrastructure. Here’s what Bellingham is planning for each:

1. Water Supply

Bellingham’s water comes from Lake Whatcom, a protected watershed that requires constant care. The plan commits to protecting this water source while planning for future demand.

Key goals include:

• Expanding water storage capacity to handle growth and droughts

• Modernizing the Water Treatment Plant to meet new environmental standards

• Replacing aging water mains to prevent leaks and service breaks

• Continuing to protect the Lake Whatcom watershed from runoff and pollution

The plan even considers ways to encourage water conservation, like promoting water-efficient fixtures and native landscaping.

2. Wastewater and Stormwater Systems

Every drop that goes down a drain or flows down a street needs to go somewhere safely. The plan calls for investments in both wastewater treatment and stormwater management to prevent flooding and protect water quality.

The city plans to:

• Upgrade pipes and pumps to serve new housing and business areas

• Expand stormwater treatment basins and “green infrastructure” such as rain gardens and bioswales

• Separate old combined sewer systems where stormwater and sewage share pipes

• Monitor storm drains to prevent pollution from reaching creeks and the bay

This work isn’t flashy, but it is essential to keeping Bellingham Bay clean and our neighborhoods dry.

3. Fire and Emergency Services

The Bellingham Fire Department responds to more than 20,000 calls per year, and that number is rising. To stay ready, the city plans to:

• Build new or expanded fire stations in areas seeing the most growth, such as Cordata and the north side

• Upgrade response equipment and vehicles

• Maintain emergency shelters and disaster readiness plans

• Ensure every resident can be reached within a fast, safe response time

This includes continued coordination with Whatcom County and neighboring cities for shared emergency resources.

4. Police and Public Safety

Bellingham’s police services will grow alongside the population. The plan outlines goals to:

• Maintain safe staffing levels

• Modernize the police station and technology systems

• Focus on community-based policing and partnerships

• Improve coordination with behavioral health and social service programs

The goal is to keep Bellingham one of the safest mid-sized cities in Washington while building trust and efficiency.

5. Parks, Libraries, and Public Buildings

As more people move in, public spaces will see more use. The plan supports expanding and upgrading:

• Bellingham Public Library branches and digital resources

• Community centers that host classes, recreation, and events

• Parks and playgrounds in growing neighborhoods

• City Hall and public service offices for better accessibility

The idea is that every resident—no matter their neighborhood—should have nearby access to essential city services and gathering places.

6. Energy, Technology, and Sustainability

The city is also looking toward the future with a focus on cleaner, smarter utilities. That includes:

• Expanding renewable energy partnerships with Puget Sound Energy

• Supporting solar installations on public buildings

• Increasing the number of electric vehicle charging stations

• Improving broadband access so every household can stay connected

• Using energy-efficient building standards for all new public facilities

These updates help reduce carbon emissions and operating costs while improving quality of life citywide.

So, we need to talk “Capital Facilities Plan”..

How It Ties Into The Bellingham Plan

From the CFP’s introduction:

So when the Bellingham Plan talks about more homes, more people, more businesses—it assumes the services (water, sewer, parks, buildings) will keep up. The CFP lays out how the city inventories what we’ve got, forecasts what we’ll need, and plans how to pay for and build it.

Basically, the Bellingham Plan is the city’s long-term vision how we want Bellingham to grow through 2045. The Capital Facilities Plan is the part that explains how we’ll make that growth possible.

If the Bellingham Plan says, “We’ll have more homes, parks, and transit,” the CFP says, “Here’s how we’ll build the water lines, fire stations, and other systems to support it.”

Here’s what the plan tracks today:

• The city manages over a billion dollars’ worth of public buildings, utilities, and parks.

• The Water Treatment Plant alone has a replacement value of about $132 million.

• Bellingham maintains 14 water reservoirs valued at about $81 million.

• The parks system covers more than 1,000 acres and is worth roughly $900 million in total facilities and land.

• The city updates a six-year project list every budget cycle to decide which repairs and new projects come first.

What This Means for You

For most residents, these changes will be subtle but steady. Fewer water main breaks, cleaner creeks after storms, shorter emergency response times, and easier access to public spaces.

You might also notice more small-scale construction projects: crews replacing pipes, improving drainage, or adding new utilities to support upcoming housing areas. These investments may cause short-term inconveniences, but they lay the foundation for long-term stability.

The big picture? A Bellingham that works as beautifully as it looks.

The Big Picture

The Facilities and Services chapter is all about keeping promises. As Bellingham grows, residents should still be able to count on clean water, safe streets, and responsive services. The city’s goal is to grow smart not fast and to keep our systems strong enough to serve both today’s families and tomorrow’s.

A city isn’t just its skyline or its shoreline. It’s the quiet network of people, pipes, and public workers who keep everything running behind the scenes.

Coming Up Next

In Part 6, we’ll explore Transportation. How will Bellingham make it easier to get around without sitting in traffic? From new bike paths and bus routes to safer sidewalks and crossings, we’ll look at how the city plans to keep everyone moving safely and efficiently.