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 July 11, 2024 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 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: Edison Boat Basin, Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison) and the 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 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!

Volunteers Nibav, Thulasi and Sanil collecting data from each other while on the docks at the Rutgers Boathouse, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Before heading to the next site, Sofi and Jocelyn picked-up trash that had been washed up at the Edison Boat Basin, Photo Credit: Sanil Nambiar

Plenty of boating activity at our monitoring sites along the Raritan this Thursday, please be sure to properly wash-up after all water-related activities for safety! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

While at the South Amboy Waterfront, we observed a large cargo ship out in the distance right behind the lighthouse- Sofi was able to get a pretty good view since she volunteered to wade in. Looking good out there Sofi! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

MANY THANKS to the volunteers who joined us this week: Nibav Velan, Thulasi Nambiar, Sanil Nambiar, and Sofi Grossman! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino