Raritan Pathogens Results for 8.21.2025

August 22, 2025

By Danielle Bongiovanni and J.M. Meyer

The third pathogen monitoring session of the month took place on Thursday, August 21st. 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 21, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at five of our monitoring sites this week. On the chart below, red frowns indicate problem sites, and these include Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boat House (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin (Edison Township), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).

We do not have complete data for South Amboy due to an abnormality in the lab results. Out of an abundance of caution, we are issuing a red smiley face to South Amboy as well. If the status of the lab result changes and we receive a different verdict from the Interstate Environmental Commission (IEC), then we will update our chart and map on this blog and on our social media.

Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation. Unfortunately, we are not handing out any green smiles this week.

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!

Internationally-acclaimed artist Ania Upstill volunteered for pathogen monitoring this week! In this photo, Ania greets Elver the eel. At each of our sites, Ania picked up litter and learned about how the Raritan River Watershed has been affected by nonpoint source pollutants. Photo credit: –J.M. Meyer.
A fisher at Edison Boat Basin takes advantage of the cloudy day and the dock ramp. Photo credit: –Art Allgauer.
High tide combined with the outer bands of Hurricane Erin led to flooding at the Class of 1914 Rutgers Boat House in New Brunswick. Photo credit: –J.M. Meyer.
Rutgers coaches help their athletes navigate a swollen Raritan River near Rutgers Boat House. Photo credit: — Art Allgauer.
In Perth Amboy, the pile of sanitary products and sewage sediment has been partially capped by top soil. The sewage smell is less noticeable compared to previous visits, but still present. Photo credit: –J.M. Meyer.
In the sample from Sayreville, our IEC lab technicians found a moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)! Though jellyfish are often thought of as ocean animals, some species enjoy the brackish waters such as those found at the Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park. Photo credit: –Ruby Alcorn.