The second pathogen monitoring session of the season took place on Thursday, May 28th. 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, May 28th, 2026 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at one of our monitoring sites this week. The problem site is indicated by the red frown 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)2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).
Interestingly, while the presence of fecal coliform indicates the presence of fecal matter, it is not considered to be a good predictor of disease causing bacteria. Thus, our sites in New Brunswick, South Amboy, and Perth Amboy all received green smiley faces even though our samples had thousands of fecal colony forming units…
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. On May 28th, we sampled the Raritan Canal, Lock 11 in South Bound Brook. The lab analysis produced an estimate of 41 enterococci per 100 mL. That’s good news for folks who fish or paddle in the canal!
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!
The ebbing tide leaves Eastern mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) and baby wipes on the beach at Perth Amboy. Perth Amboy is believed to have the only remaining combined sewer outfalls in Middlesex County. During dry weather, their sewage gets pumped across the river to the Middlesex Sewage Authority’s sophisticated modern plant. During wet weather, the pumps get overwhelmed and the sewage gets discharged into Raritan Bay. Ergo the numerous baby wipes on the beach.
May is a wonderful time to spot horseshoe crabs along the shore. As this carcass attests, not all horseshoe crabs survive mating season, as they sometimes die of exhaustion and stranding. The shell of this large horse shoe crab stands sentinel as our volunteers (Art, Sofi, Paula, Endurance) gather the sample and record the data.
This summer, we have asked some of our pathogen monitoring volunteers and interns to share their story of encountering the Raritan River during out sampling sessions. Our first contributor is Rutgers student Endurance Laryea.
May 28th, 2026.
Today was a lovely, clear, and sunny day. It was about 65°C when we started calibrating the measuring probe used to collect data. Calibration started around 7:30 AM and was done by 8:00 AM.
By 8:00 AM, all participating volunteers had arrived, and we began sampling the water at our first site. Riverside Park was calm and beautiful. Some parent geese guided their goslings across the playground and the parking lot close to us, and we were surprised that they didn’t hiss at us.
Canada goslings march past. — Photo by J. M. Meyer.
We also noticed a disturbance in the middle of the river — Art told us it was two carp rushing through the water together.
Sofi and Paula record data from the YSI sonde. — Photo by J.M. Meyer.
This site does not have a dock that extends very far into the current, so whoever is taking the sample must put on waders and a pair of gloves to get into the water. The person with the measuring probe in the water reads out the values of temperature, pH, salinity, oxygen saturation, etc., while another records the values. As I stepped into the river to collect a sample and take measurements, my colleagues noticed a carp swim around my leg, and it moved too fast for anyone to get a picture. It was a nice start to our day.
While preparing to take a sample the river, I look for the carp swimming past me. — Photo by J.M. Meyer.
The next site was the canal at South Bound Brook. The first thing you notice when you get there is the loud noise of the water rushing through small outlets and falling steeply into a lower canal–it sounds exactly like a natural waterfall. The speed of the water is also faster compared to the previous site; hence, it is very dangerous to get into the water! We collected the sample by dipping a sampling rod into the canal along with the measuring probe.
The third site was at the Rutgers Boat House in New Brunswick. There Dr. John thought he spotted two bald eagles on the other side of the river across from the dock. One of the volunteers used his binoculars to verify and lo and behold, two bald eagles! Unfortunately, they were so far away that we could not take clear pictures of them.
At Edison Boat Launch, groups of men were gathered under a pavilion at the bank conversing, a couple of them in their cars, and two men with their line and hook in the river as they sat at the dock to wait for their catch. We had not observed any human interactions with the river at the previous sites, so this was a lovely sight for me. I was happy to see people relax and enjoy the river, and I was reminded of the reason this pathogen monitoring program is so important. Our goal to monitor the conditions of the lower Raritan is to preserve it for the organisms whose habitat is the river and ensure that it is safe enough for individuals such as these men to enjoy.
Our next site at Sayreville also a couple of men and kayaks at the dock. My view of the water was beautiful and wide, and I wondered how freeing it would feel to be on the water. At this site, the three-hour mark for pH calibration on our probe had been met so, we recalibrated it and went on to take our samples and measurements. At the parking lot, a huge osprey nest has been built on an electricity pole, and I learnt that it had been there for a long while. Ospreys are fish-only eating birds, known for their notorious habit of building nests on poles.
The next site, Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, South Amboy made me feel as though I was at the seashore. But I must emphasize that there are many rocks at the bank. It is the site closest to the sea, and our salinity measurement for this site is testament to that fact. It also has the highest tides of all the sites. Once again, one of the volunteers got to put on the wader and get into the water for the sample and measurements. At the bank of the river we discovered a mysterious looking animal part; Art later told us that Jenna from Save Coastal Wildlife believed it was the gills of a striped bass. She explained that fishermen may have discarded the heads and guts on the beach.
Photo (and hand) by Art Allgauer.
We made our final stop at 2nd Street Park, Perth Amboy. This side of the river also has beachy vibes to it because of how wide it is and its salinity, but the tides are lower than they are at the South Amboy site. The same sampling method as the previous site was used here. I was told by one of the volunteers that they had encountered schoolchildren from a school nearby exploring this site with their teachers in the past. The team got to share information about their work, and the children were genuinely happy to learn about it.
By the time we finished our work at about 11:48 am, the sun was fully out, and it was about 78°F. We dried our waders and recalibrated the measuring probe. It was an exciting day out, and it was heartwarming to be able to communicate so easily with volunteers I barely knew prior to today.
The first pathogen monitoring session of the season took place on Thursday, May 21st. 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, May 21st, 2026 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: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin (Edison), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: 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 97 enterococci per 100 mL. If this estimate is correct, it would place South Amboy right at the border of acceptable levels of bacteria, so please proceed with caution.
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.
Rainy weather, such as the Thunderstorm we saw on Wednesday evening, often flushes fecal matter into our waterways, and so it is not surprising that so many of our sites failed to meet the safe standard for primary contact.
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. On May 21st, we sampled the Queen’s Bridge in Bound Brook. The lab analysis produced an estimate of 2,909 enterococci per 100 mL.
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!
Before sampling begins, Christina calibrates the sonde. Photo credit: — J. Meyer.
Once calibrated, the sonde provides a rich array of data about each our sites. This week, we noticed unusually low levels of oxygen at Riverside Park. — Photo credit: J. Meyer.
A fisherman bags a large American eel at the Edison Boat Basin. Eels are an important part of the diet in many cultures, but they are also extremely vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate change. Photo credit: — J. Meyer.
Despite the rain, Susana and Olesia continued to record crucial data in South Amboy.
Paula grips the sonde in the chilly waters off South Amboy Waterfront Park.
This past Monday, the Interstate Environmental Commission joined us to train our volunteers. We learned how to collect samples and data with safety and scientific rigor.
Having completed this training, our volunteers will be able to sign-up to help with sample collection, sample preparation, analysis of findings, and science communication. Thank you to all our volunteers, and to the Interstate Environmental Commission!
The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, working in partnership with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County and the Interstate Environmental Commission, will add four new monitoring sites for intermittent water quality monitoring starting May 2026 (register now to join us for monitoring training on May 18). These sites include the non-bathing public access Queens Bridge Recreational Access/Kayak Launch site along the Raritan River in Bound Brook, and three sampling stations along the Delaware & Raritan Canal.
By adding these sites we aim to better understand why, year after year, presence of enterococcus and fecal contamination is highest at our current most upstream monitoring location: Piscataway’s Riverside Park. In including sites further upstream of Riverside Park we hope to be able to pinpoint the source(s) of contamination and identify specific sanitary sewage infrastructure for repair.
By sampling from the Delaware & Raritan Canal, we will begin to improve our understanding of how water quality results differ based on the “bathtub” like conditions of the canal vs. the moving riverine flows of the Raritan. 2026 sampling at these D&R Canal sites will serve as a baseline for future testing for presence of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABS), which occur more often in still, stagnant or slow-moving water bodies like lakes, ponds, and canals.
Filamentous Mat Algae on the Raritan River, 2011 – photo by John Jengo
1. The Queens Bridge Recreational Access/Kayak Launch site.
There are three big steps in our process. First, we collect a sample of the water to send back to the lab at the Interstate Environmental Commission. The sample must be kept in an ice chest to keep it cool until it can be analyzed by technicians back at the lab. Second, we use a device called a sonde to collect data on pH, temperature, oxygen levels, sediment, chlorophyl, salinity, and more. Third, we also conduct a quick habitat assessment, and then pick up any litter we see.
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 weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities.
The sonde disappears into the Raritan River at our site in Riverside Park, Piscataway. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
The last pathogen monitoring session of the season took place on Thursday, October 2nd. 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.
To close out the 2026 season, we were joined in the field by Dr. Anne Gharaibeh, Visiting Professor of Landscape Architecture from Jordan University of Science and Technology, and Patty Oehmke, Rutgers Family and Community Health Sciences Professor of Practice. We were also joined by our new Rutgers research intern Margaret Reinerth. Welcome, Margaret!
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 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 would be indicated by red frowns on the map and chart; this week, the only red frown was at the Edison Boat Basin(Edison Township). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), Raritan Bay 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 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.
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!
From left to right, Dr. Anne Gharaibeh (Visiting Professor of Landscape Architecture from Jordan University of Science and Technology), Art Allgauer, Patty Oehmke (Rutgers Family and Community Health Sciences Professor of Practice), Margaret Reinerth, and John Meyer. Photo credit: Heather Fenyk.
Patty Oehmke gathers a sample from the Raritan River. Photo credit: Heather Fenyk.
A deceased double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) floats in the water near the Rutgers Boat House in New Brunswick. Photo credit: Heather Fenyk.
A Rutgers crew team pulls past the Boyd Park boat launch in New Brunswick. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Art Allgauer has been our most steadfast volunteer this season. He specialized in completing our visual habitat assessment at each of the six sites, and he personally removed over 50 gallons of litter from our shoreline (possibly far more). Thank you, Art! Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Trash collected from Perth Amboy’s 2nd Street park. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
John and Margaret use the YSI sonde to gather data in Piscataway. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
The third pathogen monitoring session of the month took place on Thursday, September 18th. 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, September 18th, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at five of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites would be indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin(Edison Township), and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Out of an abundance of caution, a red fown has been assigned to it. Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Raritan Bay 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 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.
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!
After the rains on Wednesday, we saw quite a bit of sediment and algae in the water on Thursday. Here’s what the buildup looked like at Riverside Park in Piscataway. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
High levels of sediment in the Raritan River at Rutgers Boathouse stain John’s gloves as he takes a sample. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
A log blocks outflow from New Brunswick into the Raritan River. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
A sunny day at Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park brings out the brillant yellow flowers of seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens). Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
A helicopter inspects power lines over Sayreville. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
A sandbar blocks snails from being carried out with the tide in Perth Amboy. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
Sofi patrols the Perth Amboy shoreline for litter. Unfortunately, baby wipes spilling out of the Combined Sewer Outfalls (CSO’s) are the most common kind of litter in the 2nd street park. A combined sewer system is one in which the sewage and the stormwater flow together in the same pipes. In normal weather, it all gets treated. But in stormy weather, much of the sewage gets washed into Raritan Bay. This is is probably why we saw one of the worst results of the season in Perth Amboy on Thursday. Photo credit: Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
The second pathogen monitoring session of the month took place on Thursday, September 11th. 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, September 11th, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at three of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites would be indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Rutgers Boat House (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin(Edison Township), and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville). Riverside Park (Piscataway) had inconclusive results. Out of an abundance of caution, a red fown has been assigned to it. Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Raritan Bay 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 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.
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!
Before pathogen monitoring can begin, the sonde is calibrated. Preparations include confirming the sonde accurately measures pH by submerging it in different buffers. The yellow solution is neutral with a pH of 7. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
Our partners at the Interstate Environmental Commission provide us with thorough instructions on how to calibrate the sensors on the sonde. Rather than working off of memory, we prefer to have one person read the instructions aloud to avoid mistakes–in this, case Danielle is reading the instructions and recording the results of the calibration. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Fishermen at Rutgers Boathouse reeled in a massive common carp (Cyprinus carpio), an invasive freshwater fish commonly found in the Raritan River. With it came a cigarette butt, illustrating how the trash tossed into the water does not instantly break down. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
A happy fisherman with his netted carp. Our proximity to the river means people often fish before or after work. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
In Edison, as the tide rolled in, we witnessed no less than seven egrets riding fallen logs upstream against the current. Photo credit: Arthur Allgauer.
Gloves, sonde, and sample: John returns from wading into the waters in South Amboy. Photo credit: Arthur Allgauer.
The bottles used to collect samples are sterilized beforehand. The tape on the lid remains intact until a gloved volunteer is about to use it. This reduces the chance of contamination skewing the lab results. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
In remembrance of Sepetember 11th, we stopped at the Middlesex County memorial in South Amboy. This eagle sculpture stares across Raritan Bay and across Staten Island — the Twin Towers were once visible in the distance. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Beachgoers at 2nd St. Park deploy a seine net to catch fish and shellfish fishing for consumptions remains common throughout the Raritan watershed, and reminds us of the importance of keeping our waters clean. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
The first pathogen monitoring session of the month took place on Thursday, September 5th. 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, September 5th, 2025 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 would be indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and Edison Boat Basin(Edison Township). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Rutgers Boat House (New Brunswick), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), Raritan Bay 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 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.
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!
The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership welcomes Margaret, a new science communications intern! Margaret accompanied the volunteers to the first two monitoring sites to record observations for her upcoming project on accessible waterfront recreation. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park and its miniature lighthouse are dedicated to a former Sayreville councilman who dedicated 18 years of his life to public service before his passing in 1991. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
Repeated exposure to human visitors at Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park emboldens wildlife such as this double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) to hold their ground when people approach. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
Unofficial artistic efforts have added urban flair to the outlet pipe in 2nd Street Park, Perth Amboy. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
This hidden cat village in Perth Amboy provides shelter for cats that have gone through the city’s trap-neuter-release program. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
The LRWP and SEWA volunteers went out to the litter trap in the Green Brook on Saturday, August 9th, 2025, to conduct a litter tally. Huge thanks to our SEWA International Central Jersey youth partners! Thanks to their efforts, we’ll have much better data on how the litter trap keeps our watershed clean. Learn more about the litter trap initiative here. And learn more about the LRWP’s litter tally project with SEWA here. Below, you’ll find Sewa’s Nilesh Bhat describing the litter we picked up and conditions surrounding the litter trap.
Blog post by Yashashvi Pabbisetty
After several weeks of cleaning up and observing the Greenbrook stream and the litter trap, we have finished our final cleanup. During this meeting we noticed a significant amount of litter built up inside the trap as well as outside in the stream, met with two board members of the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, and ended the meeting by testing how various different pieces of litter go through the trap.
Trash Inside the Litter Trap:
4 plastic bottles
2 aluminum cans
1 glass bottle
1 paper wrapper
6 shot bottles
1 foam rocket
15-20 pieces of styrofoam
1 piece of cardboard
4 cigarette butts
Trash Outside the Litter Trap
1 broken down mattress
18 broken glass pieces
5 ceramic pieces
3 glass bottles
16 plastic bottles
8 aluminum cans
17 plastic wrappers
1 metal rod
2 tires
1 styrofoam food container
2 shot bottles
1 piece of fabric
1 strap
1 purse
1 toolbox piece with nails
26 plastic bags
1 umbrella
5 styrofoam pieces
1 piece of paper
During this meeting we had the opportunity to present to two members of the LRWP board, Nandini Checko and Anton Getz. First, we presented our findings from our group report on the storm which took place on July 14th, and then we discussed what we’ve learned about the litter trap. Afterwards, Dini and Anton shared their professional experiences with us, as well as their path to careers in environmental activism, safety, and science.
After our discussion, we collected and counted the litter. Anton helpfully brought a metal canoe to move swiftly through the stream, and collect tires and large objects; his canoe allowed him to float heavy debris up and down the stream.
Our meeting with Nandini and Anton gave us insights into the importance of the work that we do each week, how it fits into the bigger picture, and the ways in which volunteer organizations fill important gaps in the fight against plastic pollution.
To finish off our final meeting, we decided to each pick an item from the day’s cleanup to put back in the stream behind the litter trap and had a race; whichever item went into the trap first, would be victorious. This final experience answered a question that was on many of our minds: what item moves through the stream the fastest. The item which ended up winning was a piece of a styrofoam tray. This collaboration between the Sewa central jersey chapter volunteer organization and LRWP turned out as a huge success; we have gained accurate data about the trash flows in the Green Brook, and learned a tremendous amount about riparian floodways, environmental activism, plastic pollution, and community engagement!
The trash is neatly stacked and ready for pickup by our partners at the Dunellen Department of Public Works. Thank you, Dunellen!
