Raritan River Pathogen Results 09.24.2026

September 25, 2026

By J.M Meyer

The final pathogen monitoring session of the month took place on Thursday, September 24th. 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 24th, 2026, show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at four 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), Edison Boat Basin (Edison), 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: Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), and 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.

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 September 17th, we sampled the Raritan River at Lock 11, South Bound Brook for a fifth time since we started pathogens monitoring this season. The lab analysis produced 43 enterococci cfu per 100mL which meets 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!

This time of year, many members of our watershed celebrate the festival that marks the birth of Ganesha. All hindu festivals are based on the position of Sun, Moon, stars, and constellations, and they therefore do not fall on specific dates in the 12 month Gregorian calendar. On his birthday, Ganesha comes down to earth and stays for nine days — during this time he witnesses the lives of his devotees and their personal difficulties. On the 10th day, he is taken in a procession with music and submerged in a river (or even a pond, lake, or beach). This act signifies various things: 1) Impermanence of material things. 2) The dissolution of physical form and merging into Universal Conciousness, and 3) The statue of Ganesha is believed to take away the household’s troubles and obstacles, leaving behind peace and prosperity until Ganesha returns the following year. Thank you, Lakshmi, for the excellent explanation this relatively recent Raritan phenomena.
Strong potential for stormwater storage and rain garden in this unused corner of the Edison Boat Basin. If the asphalt in this section were removed, the water could percolate into the ground instead of serving as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Lakshmi and Art collect litter from Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park. In the background, you can see the old power plant being torn down. — Photo by Olesya Nabokova.
Here’s a photo from last week showing the demo of the old plant.
The impending nor’easter causes some of the highest waves of the season in Raritan Bay. Wind also suffused the water with oxygen — a very important part of estuary ecosystems. — Photo by Olesya Nabokova.
In Perth Amboy, we saw them combing the beach for trash using a tractor. Art and the team used lower-tech methods of picking up litter. — Photo by Olesya Nabokova.