Bay Bacteria Sampling

On August 26^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, 0.73 inches of precipitation was recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were higher than during the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the Providence River (geometric mean of 69 MPN/100 mL for the Seekonk River compared to 11 MPN/100mL for the Providence River) for sampling conducted on August 26th. The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Bishop Point sampling location.

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 25 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at Gaspee Point and Conimicut Point to 399 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is September 9th.

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

​​	​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​m	Enterococci
Primary Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​	Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​ <10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL	Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​ All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
Shellfishing	Geometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​	NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​

On August 12^th, 2026 nineteen stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. There was no precipitation at TF Green over the five days prior to the August 12th, 2026 sampling event. Overall, bacteria counts were lower than during the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the Providence River (geometric mean of 50 MPN/100 mL for the Seekonk River compared to 10 MPN/100mL for the Providence River) for sampling conducted on August 12th. The maximum count (930 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Point St Bridge sampling location.

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 24 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 256 MPN/100 mL at Point St Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is August 26^th.

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

​​	​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​m	Enterococci
Primary Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​	Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​ <10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL	Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​ All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
Shellfishing	Geometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​	NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​

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

​​	​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​m	Enterococci
Primary Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​	Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​ <10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL	Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​ All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
Shellfishing	Geometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​	NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​

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

​​	​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​m	Enterococci
Primary Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​	Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​ <10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL	Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​ All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
Shellfishing	Geometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​	NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​

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

​​	​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​m	Enterococci
Primary Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​	Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​ <10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL	Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​ All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
Shellfishing	Geometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​	NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​

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

​​	​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​m	Enterococci
Primary Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​	Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​ <10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL	Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​ All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
Shellfishing	Geometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​	NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​

On May 20^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, trace amounts of precipitation were recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on May 7^th (geometric mean of 91 MPN/100 mL compared to 103 MPN/100 mL on 5/7). Fecal coliform counts were similar in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on May 7^th (geometric mean of 20 MPN/100 mL on May 7^th compared to 18 on May 20^th). 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 74 MPN/100 mL at Point Street Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is June 3^rd.

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

​​	​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​m	Enterococci
Primary Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​	Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​ <10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL	Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​ All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
Shellfishing	Geometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​	NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​

On May 7^th,  2026, sixteen 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, 0.28” of precipitation was recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on April 23^rd (geometric mean of 103 MPN/100 mL compared to 223 MPN/100 mL on 4/23). Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on April 23^rd (geometric mean of 20 MPN/100 mL compared to 16 MPN/100 mL on 4/23). 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 21 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 988 MPN/100 mL at Point Street Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is May 20^th.

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

​​	​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​m	Enterococci
Primary Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​	Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​ <10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL	Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​ All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
Shellfishing	Geometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​	NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​

On April 23^rd, 2026, twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; four of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.21” of precipitation was recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were higher than during the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on April 8^th (geometric mean of 223 MPN/100 mL compared to 80 MPN/100 mL on 4/8). Fecal coliform counts were also higher in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on April 8^th (geometric mean of 16 MPN/100 mL compared to 10 MPN/100 mL on 4/8). 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 20 MPN/100 mL at Phillipsdale Landing.

The next scheduled sampling date is May 6^th.

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

​​	​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​m	Enterococci
Primary Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​	Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​ <10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL	Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​ All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
Shellfishing	Geometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​	NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​

On April 8^th, 2026, twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; four of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.26” of precipitation was recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were slightly lower than during the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were similar in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on March 25^th (geometric mean of 80 MPN/100 mL compared to 88 MPN/100 mL on 3/25). Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on March 25^th (geometric mean of 10 MPN/100 mL compared to 25 MPN/100 mL on 3/25). 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 41 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is April 23^rd.

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

​​	​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​m	Enterococci
Primary Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​	Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ mL​ <10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL	Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​ All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
Shellfishing	Geometr​ic mean ≤14 MPN/100​ mL <10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3​	NO ENTEROCOCCI CR​ITERIA​

¹Fecal coliform primary contact criteria app​lied 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.​​​​​​​​​​