June flew by, and the last Pathogen Monitoring session of the month occured on Thursday, the 26th. 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, June 26, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at 3 of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy), 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: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Edison Boat Basin (Edison), and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville).
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!
The sonde nearly disappears below the water’s surface due to low clarity at Edison Boat Basin. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
A Heineken bottle floats amidst debris in the water near the Rutgers Boat House. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Ashley keeps a firm grip on the sonde as she leans over the edge of the dock ramp at Riverside Park. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Aquatic plants like algae thrive in the nutrient-rich waters by Riverside Park. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
American herring gulls (Larus smithsonianus) gather by the edge of the dock at Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park. Photo credit: Ashley Fritz.
Out of respect for Juneteenth, the fifth Pathogen Monitoring session occured on Tuesday, June 17 instead of a Thursday. 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 Tuesday, June 17, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at two of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) 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: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), 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 weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
Ashley and John inspect the water from the boat dock at Riverside Park. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
According to a member of the public who spoke with LRWP volunteers, a hazmat team recently investigated a diesel fuel spill in Edison’s Mill Brook. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
A family of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) relax at Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
Sofi studies the pebbles and shells that washed up on South Amboy’s shoreline. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
A stray cat hides in the grass along the fence bordering Raritan Bay Waterfront Park. Photo credt: J.M. Meyer.
Thursday, June 12th marked the fourth week of Pathogen Monitoring and one week since a pile of feces, sanitary products, and sediment was discovered a few hundred feet from the Robert N. Wilentz Elementary School’s playground. 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 June 12, 2025 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), Edison Boat Launch (Edison Township), and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Raritan Bay 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, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
A dead fish, likely a mullet (Mugilidae), floats on the water at Rutgers Boathouse. Photo credit: Frank Dahl.
Slow-moving Atlantic horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus), like this one spotted in South Amboy, provide stable surfaces for barnacles to grow on. Photo credit: Frank Dahl.
Seagulls admire the view in Sayreville. Photo credit: Ashley Fritz.
Frank explains his work as a LRWP volunteer to a bather in Perth Amboy. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
The team returned to the pile of waste in Perth Amboy and found most of the feces had been removed. Sanitary products and sediment remain. Continue to check our website for updates on the situation. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
by Danielle Bongiovanni, J.M. Meyer, and Jocelyn Palomino
Our sampling on Thursday, June 5th began the second month of the Pathogen Monitoring 2025 season. 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 June 5, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at two of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart and include: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Edison Boat Basin (Edison), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), 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, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
The low water level at Riverside Park reveals the eroded bank and forces the dock ramp to rest on the ground. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
John and Ashley record data under bright skies at the Edison Boat Basin. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
The nice weather provides a clear view of the landfill across from the Edison Boat Basin. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Low tide at Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park reveals bricks left over from Sayre & Fisher Brick Company Sayreville manufacturing plant, which closed in 1970. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
An Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) left a piece of molted shell behind on the bank in South Amboy. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Anchored boats bob on gentle waves at Perth Amboy. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
In Perth Amboy, the team encountered a large pile of dredged sediment, sanitary products, and feces a few paces from the Robert N. Wilentz elementary school playground. The liquid leaking from the pile flowed directly into an outflow pipe leading to Raritan Bay. NJDEP is now aware of the situation; please check our website in 1-2 weeks for further updates. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
by Danielle Bongiovanni, J.M. Meyer, and Jocelyn Palomino
On Thursday, May 29th we marked our second week of the Pathogens Monitoring 2025 season! 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 May, 29, 2025 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 Edison Boat Basin (Edison). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), 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, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
Canada geese (Branta Canadensis) swim and mingle at Riverside Park. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
An oily sheen of pollution is visible on the surface of the water at the Rutgers Boat House. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Litter and debris clogged the water alongside the dock ramp at the Edison Boat Basin. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Jocelyn collects a water sample while John prepares to submerge the YSI sonde at South Amboy Waterfront Park. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
(From left to right) John, Jocelyn, Art, Rose, and Ashley take a moment to celebrate their progress at the beach in South Amboy. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Spawning season for Atlantic horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) like this one seen in Perth Amboy lasts from Mid-May to Mid-June. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Another pretty good week of results from our pathogen monitoring. While our downstream sites are within limits, the Piscataway site continues to give us trouble with very high enterococcus and fecal coliform TNTC or “Too Numerous To Count.” Yikes! We received .7 inch of precipitation since sampling, which likely means the pathogens count will be higher at all sites.
Many thanks to our Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, and Interstate Environmental Commission partners, and special thanks to our wonderful volunteers!! See here for more information on our pathogens monitoring program. Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend Everyone!
Civic science monitoring volunteer Frank Dahl at our Sayreville site – thank you, Frank!
For those of you making plans to be on the Raritan, see below for pathogens sampling results for six non-bathing public access beach sites for yesterday, May 27/2021. (See here for more on our pathogens monitoring program).
Enterococci results are reported in Colony Forming Units or CFUs. Suitable levels for primary contact should not exceed 104 cfu/100mL. Please note that while the numbers look good for our Edison, Sayreville, South Amboy and Perth Amboy sites, we have received significant rainfall since sampling, which typically increases bacteria loading into our waters. 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 fishing and swimming in a water body. 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.
Huge thanks to our partners: Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.
Field Notes:
What a beautiful day to kick off monitoring for 2021! We were joined in the field by our new Project Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino, project interns Jason Acevedo and Julisa Collado, Jessica Bonamusa from the Interstate Environmental Commission, and Stan Stephenson with the Environmental Protection Agency.
What a beautiful day to kick off monitoring for 2021! We were joined in the field by our new Project Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino, project interns Jason Acevedo and Julisa Collado, Jessica Bonamusa from the Interstate Environmental Commission, and Stan Stephenson with the Environmental Protection Agency. Pictured here from left to right are Jason, Stan and Jocelyn.
The Edison, Sayreville and South Amboy sites were busy with boating activity. Almost two dozen boat trailers were parked at the Ken Buchanan Boat Ramp in Sayreville, and we waved to folks on jet skis in the water there.
Please enjoy the Raritan safely! Be sure to wash thoroughly with soap and hot water after any contact with our waters.
Ken Buchanan Boat Ramp in Sayreville, with a view of the former JCP&L Power Plant.
NEEDED!! Volunteer Water Quality Monitors to assist with bacteria monitoring during Summer 2021!
WHAT: In-person training Workshop for Water Quality Sampling and Bacteria Monitoring (English/Spanish)
WHEN: Wednesday May 12, 4-6 PM
WHERE: TBD (either EARTH Center of Middlesex County, 42 Riva Avenue / South Brunswick, NJ OR Riverside Park in Piscataway, registrants will be emailed location information and directions).
WHY: Every Thursday from May 27 through the end of September the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Extension / Middlesex County EARTH Center will be in the field taking water samples from five public access (non-bathing, fishing, and recreational) sites along our Raritan River. We need volunteers to help us with this important work!
Volunteers will help project coordinators with sample collection, sample preparation and delivery, and analysis.
Space is limited and registration required. With thanks to The Watershed Institute for grant support to allow for Spanish language translation for this session.
With thanks to Jessica Bonamusa with the Interstate Environmental Commission (IEC), which provides equipment, laboratory equipment, and other technical support to the LRWP as part of an EPA Volunteer Pathogen Monitoring Program, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership is pleased to share this Final Report for 2020 pathogens monitoring of the Lower Main Stem of the Raritan River.
IEC’s Volunteer Pathogen Monitoring Program is intended to facilitate interested organizations in testing their local waterways for pathogens. This program targets areas that are not routinely monitored by regulatory agencies or other established monitoring programs. IEC provides assistance to volunteer groups in project design, sampling site selection, as well as hands-on field sampling training, supplies and equipment, and QA/QC oversight for the project. Laboratory analyses for pathogens is conducted in the IEC laboratory by IEC staff. Participating organizations and volunteers sample along publicly-accessible shoreline areas and in tidal creeks. Surveys include in situ measurements of water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH, though these parameters can vary depending on the needs of IEC’s partners. Pathogen samples are taken to the IEC laboratory where they are analyzed for Enteroccoccus and Fecal Coliform, indicators of sewage waste, using membrane filtration (EPA 1600) and/or the newer IDEXX® Enterolert methods. All sampling and analytical procedures are outlined in an EPA-approved Quality Assurance Project Plan.
In 2020, the LRWP’s Volunteer Monitoring Program spanned 15 weeks, starting in July. Due to the pandemic, this year the Program faced unprecedented challenges. The IEC laboratory was closed for the first three weeks of sampling, so samples collected during this time period were analyzed by a contract laboratory using methods which, while EPA-certified, differed from the methodology utilized by IEC. All sampling events were scheduled in advance and occurred regardless of recent precipitation, unless conditions were dangerous. This season included four groups: Hackensack Riverkeeper, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, Gowanus Conservancy and Freshkills Park for a total of 14 sites. Six of these sites are within the Lower Raritan Watershed.
Raritan River Enterococci results for 9.26.19. Results are reported in Colony Forming Units or CFUs. Suitable levels for enterococci should not exceed 104cfu/100mL. Please note: these results are preliminary and awaiting Quality Control.
