Bellingham council hears scientist's warnings on Lake Whatcom water

Although her research has documented a steady deterioration in the quality of Lake Whatcom's water, Robin Matthews still drinks the treated city water that originates in the lake.

Matthews, director of the Institute for Watershed Studies at Huxley College of the Environment, Western Washington University, briefed the City Council on her latest findings Monday, June 6.

She told the council that the water is still pure enough for her, and pure enough to meet legal drinking water standards. That could change someday if the long, slow decline in lake water quality is not halted and reversed.