Month: June 2026

Raritan River Pathogen Results 06.04.2026

June 5, 2026

The first pathogen monitoring session of the month took place on Thursday, June 4th. Each week during the summer, from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. We collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory, and report the results to the public. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.

Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday, June 4th, 2026 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at one of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart: Riverside Park (Piscataway), . Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin (Edison), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy), 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). For South Amboy, we were unable to analyze enough fluid to complete the membrane filtration process required to measure Colony Forming Units. We have therefore marked that site with an asterisk. Statistical analysis of the sample produced a ‘Most Probable Number’ of 63 enterococci per 100 mL, and we were unable to assess fecal coliform.

Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, pet waste, wildlife waste, and runoff from manure storage areas.

In order to better understand why Riverside Park, Piscataway is our worst performing site over the past six years, we have started sampling further upstream, as well as in the Raritan-Delaware Canal. On June 4th, we sampled Five Mile Lock in Somerset County, which is in the canal just across from Riverside Park. The lab analysis produced an estimate of 60 enterococci ‘colony forming units’ per 100 mL, and 6 fecal. We find it interesting that our first two canal sites have had less entero and fecal than the adjacent river. The waters in the canal appear relatively stagnant and we expected worse results than we see. The pH level of the canal read as 8.35, so perhaps the canal receives some kind of chemical treatment? We know that the canal is treated with the acidic herbicide fluridone, but that would not explain the high pH level on its own.

Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!

Did you know that geese chasing is a job?! The Geese Chasers are hired by municipalities across the world to ward off geese. Their colleagues include a pack of border collies. The border collie in this car stayed in the vehicle because 1) its gosling season and they are not allowed to chase goslings, and 2) the geese ran off as soon as the vehicle appeared. We spotted this interesting event at Riverside Park, Piscataway. — Photo by J.M. Meyer.
Heather and Rose prowl for trash along the banks of Riverside Park. In the foreground you can see a flag left by a chemical company. Typically, chemical treatment companies use a mix of broad leaf herbicide and fertilizer for grasses. We continue to advocate for Piscataway to establish a ‘no mow’ zone along the banks of the Raritan. A ‘no mow’ zone would help filter the runoff, discourage the geese, provide habitat for pollinators … and help prevent herbicide and fertilizer from spilling into the Raritan River. — Photo by J. M. Meyer.
A dead striped bass, stripped to the fins, floats in the water at Edison Boat Basin. A bait fish (commonly called ‘bunker’) protrudes from its gut. A local fisherman explained to our volunteers that this particular fish looked ‘oversize’, which means it exceeds the 31″ permitted by law. A common tactic to avoid enforcement is to immediately filet the fish, keep the meat, and toss the remainder into the water. — Photo by J.M. Meyer.
In Sayreville we met Denise. Denise is an animal advocate who traps, neuters, and returns stray cats. This helps control the population of stray cats, and protects the avian population at Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park. If you know of any strays in Sayreville, you are welcome to contact Denise via the card pictured above. — Photo by J.M. Meyer.
By the end of last season, we had persuaded the sewage management team in Perth Amboy to use tarps to cover their catch of baby wipes, clay, and feces to prevent the smell from reaching the nearby beach and schoolyard. Unfortunately, they have buried the tarps under more sewage, and the smell is back in full force.
In the background you can see children on the playground at Robert M. Wilentz elementary, directly downwind of several tons of sewage and sediment. — J.M. Meyer.