Water and sewer district has served Birch Bay since ’68

New interactive website shows how it was formed

By Stefanie Donahue

After 50 years of providing Birch Bay’s now 5,000 full-time residents and thousands more annual visitors with a reliable supply of water, the Birch Bay Water and Sewer District (BBWSD) is taking a look back in time.

Late this year BBWSD staff released an interactive website that shows how the district was formed as well as what it’s doing now to prepare for the future. The timeline was developed over the course of a year under contract with Blue Water GIS and includes photos and interviews with current and former BBWSD commissioners and staff.

“Our mission is to provide a reliable supply of safe and clean drinking water while managing removal of wastewater in an environmentally responsible way,” said general manager Dan Eisses in a statement. “Our staff works to provide customer service in a manner that protects our water resources and our environment.”

During the first half of the 20th century, most of Birch Bay’s water needs were met by Walter Gischer’s privately-owned infrastructure. As Birch Bay rose as a popular tourist destination and place to live in the 1950s, his system became overwhelmed.

“Before the water and sewer district came about, it was impossible for the existing systems to handle these times of peak use,” according to the BBWSD. “An excess of people during the busy seasons led to water shortages and polluted waterways.”

Responding to the need for a reliable water source, the BBWSD formed in 1968 and supplied water out of existing wells drilled in 1926 and 1929 as well as three new wells. It also added a combined 3.1 million gallons of water storage capacity between 1968 and 1978 to keep up with seasonal demand.

The BBWSD also worked with the community to construct a wastewater treatment plant, now located just south of the state park, to reduce growing levels of pollution in Birch Bay. Operations began in 1976; additional upgrades were made in 1986 and 2000. The district now maintains more than 50 miles of wastewater pipe.

“The exceptional service, the high standards of water quality and the use of cutting edge technology have led to consistent accolades,” according to the BBWSD, referencing the 15 awards its received from the Department of Ecology for outstanding performance. “Efficient business practices and the guidance of publicly-elected commissioners have also led to some of the lowest rates for its customers.”

The BBWSD board of commissioners is currently made up of Patrick Alesse, who joined in 1997, Don Montfort, who joined in 1994, and Jeff Benner, who joined in 2017.

“They’ve been here longer than I have and the philosophy has been the same. Stewardship of the public resource,” said Eisses. Finance director Sandi McMillan added, “They’re very passionate about the district.”

Looking ahead, the BBWSD is focused on the more than 5,000 residents Birch Bay is projected to add by 2036. In response to an increase in demand for water, the district will rely on additional pumping from a deep aquifer groundwater found in the Blaine groundwater management area.

In 2015, it received a $700,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology to examine the prospects of enhancing water supply in portions of Water Resource Inventory Area 1, the Nooksack River basin and the Cherry Point industrial area. As part of the exploration, the BBWSD drilled three exploratory wells in the deepwater aquifer.

“Our employees are committed to our mission and are proud to serve our community,” Eisses said. “Our best asset is our employees and the district looks forward to many more years of providing drinking water and environmentally sound wastewater services to our valued customers.”

To see the BBWSD’s interactive website, visit www.bbwsd.com/storymap.