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 25, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at only ONE of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: 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 and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy 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, 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, stay safe by properly washing up after any activities!

Turbid and scummy waters at LR1- Riverside Park this Thursday morning, pathogen results showed high Enterococcus levels only for this site. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

A tremendous amount of debris washed up at the Edison boat launch, Photo Credit: Frank Dahl

SEWA volunteers have worked closely with the LRWP over the last couple weeks on the Pathogens Monitoring Team, they are becoming excellent water quality professionals! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Overcast and gloomy skies on Thursday morning, however, no precipitation was recorded 24 to 48 hours prior to monitoring. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Special thanks to our monitoring team of volunteers who joined us this week: Frank Dahl, Thulasi Nambiar, Sanil Nambiar and Nibav Velan! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino