by LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Danielle Bongiovanni, J.M. Meyer, Jocelyn Palomino

Yesterday, Thursday May 22, was the official start-up of our Pathogens Monitoring 2025 Season! The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County are so grateful to be able to continue the monitoring program into our now SEVENTH year of data-collection and sharing. This volunteer-based program runs from May to October and takes place every Thursday monitoring 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 on Friday afternoons. We are looking forward to sharing our data with the community and our partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan River for all.

Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday May 22, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at all six of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boat House (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin (Edison), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and do not include any sites this week.

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, and runoff from manure storage areas.

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 Memorial Day weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!

This pipe drains into the Raritan River directly from the Route 18 highway at Boyd Park. Hence, the oil sheen is essentially direct wash off from vehicles traveling on 18 parallel to the Raritan River.
Photo credit: Art Allgauer.

John and Ashley drop the YSI sonde into the Raritan River at the Edison Boat Basin while Sofi collects a water sample. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County have wrapped up their 6th season of water quality monitoring along the Raritan river! A very big thank you to all the volunteers who joined us in the field this summer: Art Allgauer, Ed Carrington, Frank Dahl, Shely Dash, Andrew Gehman, Sofi Grossman, Amane Kariya, Rose Lawless, Sanil and Thulasi Nambiar, Irene Riegner and Nibav Velan. Throughout the summer, 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 on Friday afternoons. 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 3, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at TWO of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).

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 stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

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 decide to recreate on Raritan this weekend, please keep this data in mind and wash up properly after any activities!

An overcast covered the Raritan from the docks of the Rutgers boathouse, the river’s tranquility gave us a peaceful start to our last Thursday morning of monitoring. Photo credit: Jocelyn Palomino

While doing field observations at the Edison Boat Basin, Sofi Grossman and Jocelyn stumbled upon a seemingly injured gull on the rocks by the water. It did not appear to be physically injured, however, it was unable to fly or walk. Art Allgauer gladly offered to drop the gull off at The Raptor Trust- a rehabilitation center in Millington. Photo credit: Sofi Grossman

We usually spot a lot of interesting wildlife at our Sayreville site, but we think we may have spotted a juvenile eagle yesterday thanks to Sofi and Franks’s binoculars. Photo credit: Sofi Grossman

Very large horseshoe crab shell on the shores of the South Amboy beach! Photo credit: Sofi Grossman

The sun broke through the clouds as we reached the end of our 2024 season at Perth Amboy. Thank you again to all the volunteers who were a part of the program- hope to see you again next summer! Photo credit: Sofi Grossman

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday 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. During the summer, 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 on Friday afternoons. 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 September 26, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at FOUR of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy)

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 stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

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 decide to recreate on Raritan this weekend, please keep this data in mind and wash up properly after any activities!

Our monitoring team was eager to be joined by Sandy Castor on the Rutgers Boathouse docks, Middlesex County’s Department Head and our VIP this week! Sandy took part in our usual monitoring work like collecting data off the YSI and grabbing our sample for the week, alongside our community volunteers. Despite the gloomy weather, sharing our pathogens work with Sandy was a great start to the morning!

Another week of bottles and debris at the Rutgers Boathouse, along with a fish kill. Photo credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Art Allgauer (right)

A massive log found its way in between the docks at the Edison Boat Basin, Photo credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Amongst the usual flock of gulls at Sayreville, we were able to spot one cormorant on a dock post using the breeze to dry up, while another went for a lonesome swim in the Raritan. Photo credit: Jocelyn Palomino

We usually find very little trash when we arrive at our South Amboy site, however, a lot of garbage was left behind after the high tide for us to clean-up. We also found two smooth dogfish/sand sharks on the shore that appear to have been preyed on… Photo credit: Art Allgauer (left) and Jocelyn Palomino (right)

The combined sewer system (CSS) in Perth Amboy had a light overflow due to some morning drizzle, however, it most likely increased with the rain that followed after. Special thanks to our volunteers: Art Allgauer, Sofi Grossman, Sanil Nambiar, and Irene Riegner! Photo credit: Art Allgauer (left) and Jocelyn Palomino (right)

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday 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. During the summer, 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 on Friday afternoons. 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 September 19, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at FOUR of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin (Edison) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison) and South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).

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 stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

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 decide to recreate on Raritan this weekend, please keep this data in mind and wash up properly after any activities!

Just two more weeks left of summer monitoring!! As always, BIG thanks to our volunteers who joined us in the field this week: Irene Riegner, Sofi Grossman, Frank Dahl, and Art Allgauer.

Frank Dahl manning the YSI at Riverside Park in Piscataway, catch a glimpse of the real-time numbers Frank was looking at in the second picture. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Stagnant waters at the Rutgers Boathouse caused a scummy buildup across the surface of the Raritan, we also spotted a dead fish among the pile of debris next to bottles, bottles, and more bottles! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Tuesday’s Supermoon greatly affected the tides Thursday morning, some of our sites were too flooded to access but luckily we had waders ready, Photo Credit: Art Allgauer

The carcass of what appeared to be a juvenile black-backed gull washed up on the boat ramp at LR4- Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

At LR5- South Amboy Waterfront Park, we also had some interesting finds as a result of aquatic life being washed up from the high-tide. Apart from dozens of horseshoe crabs molts, we spotted a dried up Manta stingray right along the shoreline- which was a first for us! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Art Allgauer (right)

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday 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. During the summer, 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 on Friday afternoons. 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 September 12, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at TWO of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), and South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).

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 stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

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 decide to recreate on Raritan this weekend, keep this data in mind and be sure to wash up after any activities!

Special thanks to the volunteers who joined us on the field: Sofi Grossman, Irene Riegner and Art Allgauer!

Once again, the Rutgers Boathouse docks were piled up with debris and trash similar to last week. We witnessed some fish jumping out of the water and floundering about near the docks, however, the Dissolved Oxygen levels we recorded (9.0 mg/L and 102.7% saturation) indicated an appropriate level of oxygen for aquatic life to survive. We will keep a close eye on the situation in the following weeks. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

The Raritan river was abundant with wildlife early Thursday morning. From two deer embracing each other on the shore of the Rutgers Boathouse, to a number of egrets and gulls at the Edison Boat Basin- it was a lively day to do some monitoring! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

The docks at Sayreville’s Ken Buchanan Waterfront after days with no precipitation. The smell was FOUL to say the least! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

We don’t usually spot herons at our Perth Amboy site, but this lovely heron was spotted on the docks before flying out for his catch of the morning. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

In our newly implemented monitoring task of “site clean-ups,” we have noticed LR2 and LR6 tend to have a higher volume of trash in comparison to our other sites, a majority of the trash being plastic/glass bottles. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday 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. During the summer, 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 on Friday afternoons. 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 September 5, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at only ONE of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).

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 stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

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 out on the Raritan this weekend enjoying the last of the summer weather, be sure to wash up after any activities just to be safe!

This week, the team was joined in the field by Land Steward Ed Carrington from Duke Farms who eagerly helped us with the collection of YSI data and site clean-ups. We appreciate you, Ed! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

An unidentified carcass found on the docks of Riverside Park in Piscataway to start off our Thursday morning!! Photo Credit: Frank Dahl

Unusual amount of debris and trash piled up against the Rutgers docks during high tide, we spent some time cleaning up everything in reach, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

A solitaire heron enjoying the fresh breeze on the shores of the Raritan near the Edison Boat Basin, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

A full team of binoculars…we are always prepared to spot all sorts of wildlife out on the Raritan, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

THANK YOU to our volunteers who came out yesterday: Irene Riegner, Art Allgauer, Ed Carrington, Frank Dahl, and Sofi Grossman! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday 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. During the summer, 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 on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.

After the intense rainfall we received on Wednesday night, lab results for our water quality samples taken on Thursday August 29, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at FOUR of our monitoring sites during this Labor Day weekend. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin (Edison) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison) and South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).

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 stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

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 choose to spend your holiday weekend recreating on the Raritan, please be sure to take all safety precautions into consideration and wash up after enjoying any activities!

Our visual habitat assessments recorded large amounts of debris at a majority of our sites, from the rain and lightning in the area the night before, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Beautiful weather on Thursday morning after Wednesday’s aftermath, quite a few people were out enjoying the outdoors- including a local artist who was at the Edison Boat Basin painting the scenery. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Irene Riegner spotted a number of avian wildlife flying over the Raritan with her binoculars on Thursday morning. From cormorants to great blue herons- we saw it all yesterday! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Our volunteers are essential to providing the community with a weekly status of the Raritan’s water quality, thank you to Nibav Velan and Irene Riegner for joining us in the field this week! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Irene Riegner (right)

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday 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. During the summer, 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 on Friday afternoons. 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 August 22, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at only ONE of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).

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 stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

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 recreate on the Raritan this weekend, be sure to take all safety precautions into consideration and wash up after any water-based activities!

Caught a glimpse of the enlarged moon during pre-calibration on early Thursday morning, after this Monday’s Supermoon that will occur again in mid-September, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

We spotted lots of folks out recreating at each of our sites, as well as an abundance of wildlife this week. Can you spot the heron hiding by the D&R canal at the Rutgers Boathouse? Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Half of the flock flew away as the team approached the docks, but the other half stayed to watch us collect water samples on the messy docks of LR4- Ken Buchanan Waterfront. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Beautiful weather this weekend to enjoy the outdoors before the summer comes to an end- use and share our data to help plan your weekend activities on the Raritan!! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Huge thanks to our volunteers for joining us in the field this week: Irene Riegner, Nibav Velan and Frank Dahl! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Frank Dahl (right)

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday 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. During the summer, 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 on Friday afternoons. 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 August 15, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at TWO of our monitoring sites. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), and South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).

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 stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

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 plan on recreating on the Raritan, be sure to take all safety precautions by washing up after any activities!

Our Thursday mornings begin with volunteers helping Program Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino with the pre-calibration of our equipment, while the rest of the team gears up for sampling. Photo Credit: Frank Dahl

Leave it to Rose to capture close-up shots like this that allow us to see nature in all its beauty! Photo Credit: Rose Lawless

Frank Dahl was in charge of managing the YSI this week, Shely Dash got to borrow his binoculars to catch a good look at some herons at the Edison Boat Basin. Photo Credit: Rose Lawless

Messy docks at LR4, I wonder who the culprits could have been… Photo Credit: Rose Lawless

Our AMAZING team of volunteers collecting water samples, cleaning up the shore and sharing our data with local residents while at LR5- South Amboy Waterfront Beach, Photo Credit: Rose Lawless

During low tide, we noticed very murky and grey water at LR6-2nd. Street Park with a large amount of scum built up on the rocks, despite the dry weather in recent days. Photo Credit: Rose Lawless

By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino

Every Thursday 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. During the summer, 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 on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.

After receiving such heavy rainfall this week due to Tropical Storm Debby, our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday August 08, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at all SIX of our monitoring sites. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map would normally indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which does not include any sites this week.

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 stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.

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 plan on recreating on the Raritan, be sure to take all safety precautions by washing up after any activities!

A dark morning filled with strong winds and plenty of rain to make water quality monitoring an adventure!! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Irene Riegner (right)

Loads of debris/trash washed up by the docks of the Edison Boat Basin. You can see how all the stormwater runoff washed from the parking lot makes its path to the river! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

While one of our volunteers wades into the river to collect our weekly sample, the rest of the team stays ashore to record the data relayed by the YSI, which indicates the real-time levels of Dissolved Oxygen, pH, salinity and more. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Irene Riegner (right)

HUGE THANKS to Nibav Velan and Irene Riegner for their contributions this week and for enduring the conditions of Tropical Storm Debby! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Irene Riegner (right)