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 August 01, 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: 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: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), 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, stay safe by properly washing up after any activities!

Clear and sunny skies on Thursday morning helped us collect our samples smoothly before the heat caught up to us! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Water quality at LR3- Edison Boat Basin was noticeably greasy and scummy this week, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

We did not observe much recreational or wildlife activity at our sites this Thursday, but we can always count on the seagulls and ducklings that greet us on the Ken Buchanan docks! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

Heavy discharge coming from the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) located right by the shore at Perth Amboy’s 2nd Street Park… the water quality was murky with an overwhelming smell of sewage and is our only site that exceeds the federal standard this week. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino

BIG thanks again to our volunteers this week for helping us collect informational data for the community: Nibav Velan, Sanil Nambiar and Thulasi Nambiar!!