BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A new, locally discovered technology is being used to protect Lake Whatcom against pollution while lowering the cost.
The phosphorous optimizing treatment system, or POST, targets phosphorous in stormwater runoff from lawns and streets.
Phosphorous causes algae blooms, which suck the oxygen out of lake water and block sunlight from getting to plant life.
POST, which filters stormwater through a unique blend of materials, was developed in an unusual partnership between the city, the state Department of Ecology and Western Washington University.
Not only is POST more effective than previous filtering methods, material costs for this new system are 60% cheaper, and it requires less maintenance.
The newly renovated stormwater treatment facility on the north end of Lake Whatcom is the first to be outfitted with POST, though the other sites will follow soon.