Raritan River Pathogen Results for 10.01.2026

October 2, 2026

By J.M Meyer

The first pathogen monitoring session of the month took place on Thursday, October 1st. 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, October 1st, 2026, show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at three of our regular monitoring sites this week. The problem sites are indicated by the red frown on the map and chart and include Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boat House (New Brunswick), and Second Street Park (Perth Amboy).

Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation and include the following: Edison Boat Basin (Edison), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), and Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy).

A note of caution: in the wake of the nor’easter, none of the sites met the legacy EPA standard for Fecal Colony-Forming Units. Wash your hands, and cook your fish.

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 has been our worst performing site over the past six years, we have started sampling at new sites in the vicinity. On October 1st, we sampled the Delaware & Raritan Canal at DeMott lane for a fifth time since we started pathogens monitoring this season. The lab analysis produced 53 enterococci cfu per 100mL which satisfies the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL.

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!

A plastic blue and white ice chest has joined the debris along I 287 in Piscataway. During rain events, the debris rises and falls with the water, and bashes against the concrete. This causes scouring on the piers. An LRWP volunteer contacted the New Jersey Department of Transportation about the issue.
In dry conditions, the river at the Piscataway Riverside Park boat dock is only about ten inches deep. During the nor’easter, the debris line tells us river rose at least another twenty-five inches.
As one would expect, the nor’easter combined with the harvest moon to drive the river over the banks of Boyd Park. New Brunswick Parks did an impressive job cleaning up the park in the wake of the storm — and they even cleaned out the boat ramp!
A reckless driver lined up the trash cans at Edison boat basin and then knock them over with his car. Thank you to the local fishermen, DPW workers, and LRWP volunteers who cleaned up the mess.
Some of the spilled trash at Edison Boat Basin.
One of our standout collaborators is Elyse Barone, the recycling and clean communities coordinator in Sayreville. Thanks to her leadership our water monitoring team briefed the co-chairs of the environmental commission and the director of public works on the water quality of the Raritan River in Sayreville. We appreciate everything they have done to reduce stormwater pollution in the watershed!
Doreen and Lakshmi record data from the YSI sonde while sampling in South Amboy. — Photo by Olesya Nabokova.