Estuary restoration is essential to the recovery of both the Bellingham Bay and Puget Sound, making the restoration of the Padden Creek Estuary a top priority for the City of Bellingham.

This project uses Low Impact Development (LID) and a high efficiency bioretention system, the Filterra Bioscape, to treat stormwater runoff from 90 acres of urban development prior to discharging into the Padden Creek Estuary.

After evaluating a number of potential treatment solutions, a 4,200 square foot Filterra Bioscape was selected to treat the water quality volume. Native plantings were used as they are best suited for the local climate and blend in seamlessly with the surrounding area.

Filterra is similar to bioretention in its function and application, but has been optimized for high volume/flow treatment and high pollutant removal. Its small footprint allows it to be used on highly developed areas such as residential and commercial sites, parking lots, and streetscapes.

The Filterra Bioscape was selected for its high efficiency flow rate which allows the footprint of the treatment system to be significantly smaller than traditional bioretention. The high flow rate, pollutant removal capabilities, cost competitiveness, and simple maintenance made Filterra Bioscape the best solution for the site.