Raritan Pathogen Results for 8.14.2025

August 15, 2025

By Danielle Bongiovanni and J.M. Meyer

The second pathogen monitoring session of the month took place on Thursday, August 14th. 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, August 14, 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: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boat House (New Brunswick), 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: 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!

Elver the Eel joins volunteers for water monitoring at Riverside Park. Artist Lisa Bagwell constructed Elver entirely out of trash from the Raritan River, making him the only American eel (Anguilla rostrata) able to survive out of water for so long! Instead of migrating to the Sargasso Sea to mate with other eels, Elver migrates from school to school to educate students about water quality. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
During a visual habitat assessment of Riverside Park, Elver notices the land has been mowed down right to the water line. Unfortunately, this prevents the riparian plant life from filtering pollutants out of our water. This can contribute to poor water quality. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Invasive emerald ash borers (Agrilus planipennis) have killed many of the white ash trees (Fraxinus americana) near the Raritan River. Less shade means hotter water and more algal blooms, making it unpleasant for Elver to swim. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Elver visually inspects the Riverside Park (LR1) water sample before sending it off to the lab. Yikes! Lab analysis the next day showed that Piscataway’s Riverside Park is suffering from fecal polluted water. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Ashley observes how the massive culvert of Mill Brook flows into the Edison Boat Basin, eroding the far shore and carrying debris from the Kin-Buc Landfill Superfund Site. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Natural sources of foam include plant matter decaying, runoff, and turbulence, such as the waterfall at the mouth of the culvert. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer
An ash log creates a waterfall flowing into the culvert at Mill Brook in Edison Boat Basin. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
A fisherman displays a juvenile white mullet (Mugil curema) he caught in Sayreville. When handling fish like this juvenile white mullet, be gentle and return them to the water as quickly as possible! Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
This juvenile European herring gull (Larus argentatus) will look very different as an adult, trading its mottled white and brown feathers for a mostly white body with gray wings and black accents. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Driving between sites is perhaps the most dangerous part of water monitoring. Buckle up, Elver! Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.