Whatcom County Health and Community Services

10/22/2026

Did you know that water leaks and poor ventilation are the most common ways mold can grow inside a home? Watch for water leaks and get them repaired as soon as possible. If you are a renter experiencing a leak, it is the landlord’s responsibility to resolve the issue.

If you have trouble resolving this issue as a tenant, you can visit bellinghamtenantsunion.org/tenant-resources. Bellingham residents can also visit cob.org/services/permits/rentals/code-enforcement-assistance

10/22/2026

Reminder: Today, Thursday, Oct. 22, our 509 Girard Street office is closed to the public for unscheduled or walk-in services, and we have reduced staffing to answer calls on our main phone line at 360-778-6000. You can use our online form to ask a question or make a complaint any time: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/FormCenter/Health-12/File-a-Complaint-or-Ask-a-Question-297.

All online services and scheduled appointments are not affected. Thanks for your patience during this important staff software training day. Normal operations will resume on Friday, Oct. 23.

Our 509 Girard Street office will close to the public on Thursday, Oct. 22, for any unscheduled or walk-in services. All online services and scheduled appointments are not affected. Normal operations will resume on Friday, Oct. 23.

10/21/2026

Fall cleaning? Many household cleaners contain hazardous chemicals. Bring unwanted or expired cleaners to the Disposal of Toxics Facility (3505 Airport Drive, Bellingham) for safe disposal. We’re open Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm, and the first Saturday of each month, 9 am–4 pm. Never mix chemicals or pour them down the drain—bring them to us instead!
See the full list of accepted items at: whatcomcounty.us/3298/Hazardous-Waste

10/21/2026

Thank you to everyone who donated gently used clothes and came out to swap with your neighbors at the 2026 Share and Repair Clothing Swap! And thank you to RE Sources/The RE Store for hosting this event! At the event, we saw:
• 113 people attend.
• 40 volunteers.
• Over 70 repairs.
• 409 garments re-homed.
• 33 items brought to be shared.
• 17 Home repair/maintenace. Questions answered by experts.
• Countless amazing upcycled art created.
Textiles not rehomed or used at the event were sent to local nonprofits.

10/20/2026

Our 509 Girard Street office will close to the public on Thursday, Oct. 22, for any unscheduled or walk-in services. All online services and scheduled appointments are not affected. Normal operations will resume on Friday, Oct. 23.

10/16/2026

Vaccinate to protect yourself from more than just the flu this season: get COVID and RSV vaccines too! Ask your healthcare provider today about getting vaccinated for yourself or your child.

Esta temporada, vacúnate para protegerte no solo de la gripe, ¡sino también del covid y el VRS! Consulta hoy mismo a tu médico sobre vacunarte o vacunar a tu hijo.

10/16/2026

Recent testing shows that paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) biotoxin levels have dropped on beaches in southern Whatcom County. Bellingham Bay, Chuckanut Bay and all of Larrabee State Park are now open to the harvest of all molluscan shellfish species. Ceremonial, subsistence and commercial shellfish harvest on tidelands within Lummi Nation are under the jurisdiction of Lummi Nation and closed to all non-tribal visitors.

We will continue to monitor biotoxin levels and report out when changes may affect public health. Remember, biotoxin levels can change rapidly –check for harvest closures before you dig! https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html

To learn more, read our newsflash: https://bit.ly/4dJahML

10/15/2026

The next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is October 24. In Whatcom County, however, every day can be Take Back Day. Find locations near you to return unused medications throughout the year at whatcomhope.org.

10/14/2026

On October 13, we lifted the biotoxin caution advisory for Toad Lake. There are no other biotoxin lake advisories currently in effect for Whatcom County. Even when an advisory is not in effect, always use caution when you’re in the water. When in doubt, stay out! Read more in our Newsflash: https://bit.ly/4zA93Ml

10/14/2026

Join us at the 2026 All Hands Whatcom Summit on October 21-22! This event is free to attend. Learn more about and register for the event at https://chuckanuthealthfoundation.org/allhands/summit2026

How will H.R. 1 and Medicaid changes impact our community?

At the 2026 All Hands Whatcom Summit, we're bringing people together from across Whatcom County to explore what's changing, understand the impacts on our local safety net, and strengthen how we respond together.

🤝 Understand what's changing. Practice what we do next.

📅 October 21–22
📍 Silver Reef Casino Resort
🎟️ Free to attend | Register by October 17
🔗 https://chuckanuthealthfoundation.org/allhands/summit2026