Raritan Pathogens Results 7.10.25

July 11, 2025

By Danielle Bongiovanni and J.M. Meyer

The second pathogen monitoring session of the month occurred on Thursday, July 10. Every Thursday 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 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, July 10, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at THREE (3) 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), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). 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), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), and Edison Boat Launch (Edison Township).

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 Fourth of July weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!

Trash and an oily, translucent scum float on the water in New Brunswick. Photo credit: Ashley Fritz.
An overcast day at Edison Boat Basin fills the water with reflected clouds. Photo credit: Vanishri Murali.
A great egret (Ardea alba) swoops over the Raritan River. Photo credit: Vanishri Murali.
The cloudy sky is reminiscent of the smoke that once pumped out of Sayreville’s now-decommissioned coal-burning power plant (pictured), and Sayre and Fisher Brick Company kilns (long gone). Photo credit: Vanishri Murali.
Gavin, a young outdoor enthusiast from Maryland, met up with the LRWP in South Amboy and volunteered to help Dr. John use the sonde. Photo credit: Vanishri Murali.

Another week completed! The team in South Amboy. Photo credit: Vanishri Murali.