Tara Franey – Page 2

July 30, 2026

On July 30^th, 2026, twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.72 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on July 30^th (geometric mean of 1,615 MPN/100 mL compared to 204 MPN/100 mL on 7/15). Fecal coliform counts were also higher in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling (geometric mean of 8 MPN/100 mL on July 15^th compared to 63 on July 30^th).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 111 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at Conimicut Point to 1,842 MPN/100 mL at Point St Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is August 12^th.

Summary of Rhode Island Bacteria Standards for Saltwater Primary Contact and Shellfishing

	Fecal Coliform	Enterococci
Primary Contact¹	Geometric mean ≤50 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >400 MPN/100 mL	Geometric mean ≤35 colonies/100 mL All samples ≤104 colonies/100 mL²
Shellfishing	Geometric mean ≤14 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL³	NO ENTEROCOCCI CRITERIA

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria applied only when adequate enterococci data are not available; ²Single sample maximum criterion for determining beach swimming advisories at designated beaches as evaluated by the Rhode Island Department of Health; ³For a three-tube decimal dilution.

Table adapted from Rhode Island Water Quality Regulations (250-RICR-150-05-1); see regulations for complete details.

July 22-23, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations and seven bay stations on July 22^nd and 23^rd. All bay stations were sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 2.28 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 1,390 ppb, TDN = 1,355 ppb, DIN = 1,127 ppb, averages of duplicates). The lowest TN TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Footbridge at Mill St. (TN = 703 ppb, TDN = 645 ppb, DIN = 396.7 ppb).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN was observed at Phillipsdale Landing (1,760 ppb). The highest surface TDN and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TDN = 543 ppb, DIN = 627.5). The lowest surface TN was observed at Conimicut Point (523 ppb). The lowest surface TDN was observed at Bullock Reach Buoy (120 ppb), and the lowest surface DIN was observed at Edgewood Yacht Club (13 ppb, representing minimum detection limits).

The next scheduled sampling date is August 5^th, 2026.

July 8, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from thirteen river stations and eight bay stations on July 8^th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface; Edgewood Shoal was sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 2.89 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Blackstone River @ Fairmount St (TN = 1,850 ppb, TDN = 1,915 ppb, DIN = 1,610.5, averages of duplicates). The lowest TN was observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave (426 ppb). The lowest TDN and DIN were observed at Palmer River @ Rt. 6 (TDN = 372 ppb, DIN = 70.6).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN was observed at Phillipsdale Landing (1,330 ppb). The highest surface TDN and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TDN = 846 ppb, DIN = 717, averages of duplicates). The lowest surface TN and DIN were observed at Edgewood Shoal (TN = 555 ppb, DIN = 126.8 ppb). The lowest surface TDN was observed at Edgewood Yacht Club (180 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is July 22^nd, 2026.

July 30, 2026

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on July 30, 2026, while the R/V Data Stream was underway collecting bacteria samples in the Providence and Seekonk River Estuaries. The chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair overall with most areas sampled having average chlorophyll concentrations between 5 µg/L and 20 µg/L, with the exception of the Seekonk River, which had average chlorophyll concentrations above 20 µg/L (categorized as poor). Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 3.63 µg/L to 128.48 µg/L with an average of 15.46 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

July 23, 2026

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on July 23, 2026, while the R/V Data Stream was underway collecting bacteria samples in the Providence and Seekonk River Estuaries. The chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair overall with most areas sampled having average chlorophyll concentrations between 5 µg/L and 20 µg/L, with the exception of the Seekonk River, which had average chlorophyll concentrations above 20 µg/L (categorized as poor). Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 4.51 µg/L to 77.03 µg/L with an average of 15.49 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

June 24, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations and seven bay stations on June 24^th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 2.01 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN) was observed at Blackstone River @ Slater Mill (1,545 ppb, average of duplicates). The highest total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TDN = 1,480 ppb, DIN = 1,208 ppb). Higher TDN were observed at Woonasquatucket River @ Valley St. and Woonasquatucket River @ Manton Ave. Bridge; however, inconsistency between the TN and TDN results may indicate some reliability issues in those results. The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Footbridge at Mill St. (TN = 806 ppb, TDN = 864 ppb, DIN = 700.9). The lowest TDN and DIN were observed at Palmer River @ Rt. 6 (, average of duplicates).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN was observed at Pawtuxet Cove and Phillipsdale Landing (1,150 ppb). The highest surface TDN and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TDN = 1,020 ppb, DIN = 729.4). The lowest surface TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Conimicut Point (TN = 554 ppb, TDN = 134 ppb, DIN = 72.9).

The next scheduled sampling date is July 8^th, 2026.

June 10, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from twelve river stations and eight bay stations on June 10^th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface, and Pawtuxet Cove was sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.22 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 1,690 ppb, TDN = 1,810 ppb, DIN = 1,502.6 ppb). The lowest TN was observed at Runnins River @Rt. 6 (516 ppb). The lowest TDN and DIN were observed at Palmer River @ Rt. 6 (TDN = 286.5 ppb, DIN = 51.3, average of duplicates).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TN = 1,200 ppb, TDN = 674 ppb, DIN = 761.9, average of duplicates). The lowest surface TN was observed at Conimicut Point (466 ppb). The lowest TDN was observed at Edgewood Shoal (<100 ppb). The lowest surface DIN was observed at seven of eight sites (13 ppb, reflecting minimum detection limits for DIN).

The next scheduled sampling date is June 24^th, 2026.

July 15, 2026

On July 15^th, 2026, twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.03 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on June 17^th (geometric mean of 204 MPN/100 mL compared to 46 MPN/100 mL on 6/17). Fecal coliform counts were similar in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling (geometric mean of 8 MPN/100 mL on July 15^th compared to 9 on June 17^th).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 49 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at three sites to 717 MPN/100 mL at Phillipsdale Landing.

The next scheduled sampling date is July 29^th.

Summary of Rhode Island Bacteria Standards for Saltwater Primary Contact and Shellfishing

	Fecal Coliform	Enterococci
Primary Contact¹	Geometric mean ≤50 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >400 MPN/100 mL	Geometric mean ≤35 colonies/100 mL All samples ≤104 colonies/100 mL²
Shellfishing	Geometric mean ≤14 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL³	NO ENTEROCOCCI CRITERIA

Table adapted from Rhode Island Water Quality Regulations (250-RICR-150-05-1); see regulations for complete details.

June 17, 2026

On June 17^th, 2026, twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.01 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on June 3^rd (geometric mean of 46 MPN/100 mL compared to 76 MPN/100 mL on 5/20). Fecal coliform counts were also lower in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling (geometric mean of 9 MPN/100 mL on June 17^th compared to 13 on June 3^rd).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 14 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 30 MPN/100 mL at Point Street Bridge and Phillipsdale Landing.

The next scheduled sampling date is July 1^st.

Summary of Rhode Island Bacteria Standards for Saltwater Primary Contact and Shellfishing

	Fecal Coliform	Enterococci
Primary Contact¹	Geometric mean ≤50 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >400 MPN/100 mL	Geometric mean ≤35 colonies/100 mL All samples ≤104 colonies/100 mL²
Shellfishing	Geometric mean ≤14 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL³	NO ENTEROCOCCI CRITERIA

Table adapted from Rhode Island Water Quality Regulations (250-RICR-150-05-1); see regulations for complete details.

June 3, 2026

On June 3^rd, 2026, twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.25 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on May 20^th (geometric mean of 76 MPN/100 mL compared to 91 MPN/100 mL on 5/20). Fecal coliform counts were also lower in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling (geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL on June 3^rd compared to 18 on May 20^th).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 14 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 134 MPN/100 mL at Point Street Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is June 17^th.

Summary of Rhode Island Bacteria Standards for Saltwater Primary Contact and Shellfishing

	Fecal Coliform	Enterococci
Primary Contact¹	Geometric mean ≤50 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >400 MPN/100 mL	Geometric mean ≤35 colonies/100 mL All samples ≤104 colonies/100 mL²
Shellfishing	Geometric mean ≤14 MPN/100 mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL³	NO ENTEROCOCCI CRITERIA

Table adapted from Rhode Island Water Quality Regulations (250-RICR-150-05-1); see regulations for complete details.