Information for General Public & Business
Pet Waste Management and Disposal
There are approximately 2,744 dogs in Ferndale. Those dogs produce over 900 pounds of waste every day.
Picking up pet waste reduces dangerous pathogens in City of Ferndale waters and keeps your shoes clean. Pet waste does not biodegrade like wild animal waste, and may contain harmful organisms like E. Coli, giardia, salmonella, roundworms, hookworms, and cryptosporidium. If not disposed of properly, it can pose a hazard to human health and the environment, and runoff can flow to the stormwater system and streams.
Protect people, pets, shellfish, and the environment. Pick up pet waste every time you are out on in public, and every day at home. Especially if your yard is near water or a storm drain. Always place pet waste in a trash container.
Cleaning Supplies
Using natural cleaning products can have a positive effect not only what enters the water, but what enters our bodies.
Disposal/Recycling Information
Dispose of hazardous materials properly and recycle items to keep them out of our water.
Homeowners’ Associations/Property Owners
Stormwater Facilities
- Neighborhood and Commercial Stormwater Facilities: Maintaining Your Facility(Presentation by Kulshan Services)
- Stormwater Facilities Inspection and Maintenance Handbook (For Private Community Stormwater Systems)
- Inspection Schedule and Checklist
- Stormwater Pond Maintenance FAQs
- Mosquito Control
- Stormwater Control Ordinance (See FMC 13.34.170 Records of Installation and Maintenance Activities)
- Maintenance Standards for Drainage Facilities from the 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington
- Glossary
- Aquatic Plant Identification Manual for Washington’s Freshwater Plants
- Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board Website
- Washington Invasive Species Council
Low Impact Development
- Maintaining Low Impact Development Stormwater Facilities (Presentation by Kulshan Services)
- Raingarden Handbook for Western Washington: A Guide for Design, Maintenance and Installation
- Western Washington Low Impact Development Operations and Maintenance Guidance Document
Septic Systems
The City is responsible for the sanitary sewer utility system; however, there are remaining septic systems within the City limits. Proper maintenance of those systems is key to keeping our water clean.
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
Help to ensure the ways in which you care for your vehicle are not impacting fish and other wildlife downstream.
- Ferndale Charity Car Wash Kits
- Don’t Drip and Drive – Fix Car Leaks
- Ecology Factsheet about car washing
- EPA Brochure about car washing
- Ecology Factsheet about Motor Oil
Yard Care
The choices you make while caring for your yard can impact stormwater. Learn techniques to reduce the amount of water coming from your yard and improve the quality of that water.
- Natural Yard Care for Western Washington
- Earth Easy: Natural Lawn Care
- Washington Native Plant Society: Landscaping with native plants
- Rain Barrel Guide
- Collecting Rain Water – A Guide to Rain Barrels (City of Bellingham)
- Local Rain Barrel Vendors (if you want to be added to the list, let us know!)
- Rain Garden – What Is It, Why Would We Want One (Whatcom County Shore Stewards)
- Soaker Hoses (Birch Bay Water & Sewer District)
- Department of Ecology Fertilizer Factsheet
Businesses
Free on-site technical assistance to control and prevent toxic pollution sources in Ferndale through the Whatcom County Health Department Local Source Control Program.