News – Narrabay

“Follow the Flush” with a Free Tour!

Narragansett Bay Commission Offers Free Clean Water Tours: Follow the Flush!

In celebration of Rhode Island Clean Water Week, the Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) will offer free public tours of its award-winning Field’s Point Wastewater Treatment Facility in Providence on Saturday, April 12 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The tours will include a look at the region’s most sophisticated water quality lab, “touch-a-truck” and “touch-a-boat” with the NBC’s maintenance and research vehicles, a clean water scavenger hunt, and other fun activities.

“This facility is simultaneously one of the oldest and most advanced clean water facilities in the nation,” said NBC Chairman Vincent Mesolella. “We’re so excited to give the public the opportunity to ‘follow the flush’ and view the process that has made Narragansett Bay cleaner than it has been in 150 years.”

In addition, the NBC will issue certificates of completion to all students who take the tour that may be redeemed for extra credit at school (but students are advised check with their teacher first).

“I am confident that anyone who experiences this tour will be amazed and appreciative by the clean water efforts in our community,” Mesolella added.

Members of the public can book a tour on the half hours between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM by emailing nbcpr@narrabay.com. Spaces are limited. The tour will take approximately 90 minutes.

The NBC joins four other clean water agencies in Rhode Island offering free public tours during Rhode Island Clean Water Week. Information on other tours is available at ricwa.org

June 25, 2025

Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on June 25, 2025. In the five days prior to the survey, 0.01 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.3 meters. The lowest clarity this week (1.3 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the greatest clarity (2.7 meters) was measured at India Point Park and Pomham Rocks. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity at most locations remained relatively consistent compared to previous measurements (data collected June 11, 2025).

R.I. Infrastructure Bank Closes On $100 Million In Bond Financing For NBC Phase III CSO Project

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, the state’s central hub for financing infrastructure improvements for municipalities, businesses, and homeowners, has closed on $100,000,000 in Clean Water State Revolving Fund bond financing, with $7,069,000 in principal forgiveness stemming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Bond proceeds will help finance the ongoing construction of the Narragansett Bay Commission’s Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Phase III project and other system infrastructure upgrades.

The $100 million in total financing comes via a Series A $75 million in open market bonds and a Series B $25 million direct loan. The term for both is 30 years at an interest rate of 3.14%. The Series A bonds were rated AAA by S&P and Fitch.

“Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has been providing low-cost financing for the Narragansett Bay Commission’s CSO project for over two decades, and we’re pleased to continue that partnership with this $100 million bond to support Phase III construction and other system upgrades,” said William Fazioli, Executive Director. “The CSO is among the largest infrastructure projects in Rhode Island’s history and has helped to dramatically improve the health of Narragansett Bay. This is a true demonstration of the importance of investing in infrastructure and utilizing Rhode Island’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund and federal resources from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”

“The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank’s low-cost financing has been crucial for our CSO project,” said Laurie Horridge, Executive Director of the Narragansett Bay Commission. “We are grateful for their decades-long partnership and this latest $100 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund financing, which will support our ongoing CSO Phase III construction and other needed upgrades across our system.”

“Working with my colleagues in the delegation, we were able to deliver historic levels of federal investments for our state’s roads, bridges, and clean water infrastructure through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Thanks to this federal support, Rhode Island is advancing historic projects, like the CSO, to better protect our environment and boost economic development,” said Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I was proud to help support phase three of this important project to continue improving the health of Narragansett Bay and significantly enhance stormwater management across the state.”

“The Narragansett Bay Commission’s CSO project is a generational investment in the health of our Bay that is already paying dividends for Rhode Islanders,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “As Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I’ll continue fighting to protect the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and other programs that allow the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank to make these kinds of projects possible.”

This funding will make the Narragansett Bay cleaner and sewer bills more affordable for thousands of Rhode Islanders,” said Representative Seth Magaziner. “I am proud to work with my colleagues in Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation to deliver funding to support this project so that generations of Rhode Islanders can continue to enjoy a healthier Narragansett Bay.”

“Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we’re protecting Rhode Island’s waterways,” said Representative Gabe Amo. “This federal funding will dramatically improve our environment—preventing sewage from seeping into Narragansett Bay — and ensure the Bay remains clean for commerce and recreation for every Rhode Islander to enjoy.”

“Utilizing the Infrastructure Bank’s capital and below market rate financing on this issue, Narragansett Bay Commission was able to realize significant savings while borrowing at 3.14% interest rate, which is well below traditional financing options,” said Bank Board Chair Vahid Ownjazayeri. “Including this bond, Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has provided approximately $1 billion in Clean Water State Revolving Fund financing for Narragansett Bay Commission clean water infrastructure investments. This long-term partnership is improving public health and the health of Rhode Island’s environment.”

Since 2003, the Narragansett Bay Commission has used the Bank’s low-cost Clean Water State Revolving Fund program to complete Phase I and Phase II of the CSO project, diverting more than 1 billion gallons of combined water and wastewater that would have otherwise gone straight into Narragansett Bay, and is now treated at their Field’s Point Wastewater Treatment Facility each year. The project has helped to dramatically improve the health of Narragansett Bay.

Phase III of the Combined Sewer Overflow project, currently under construction, is a 2.2-mile long, 30-foot diameter tunnel running underneath Pawtucket and Central Falls that is expected to reduce overflow volumes by 98 percent and treat stormwater before it flows into Narragansett Bay.

The financing team that led this highly successful transaction included RBC Capital Markets as Senior Managing Underwriter, Hilltop Securities as Financial Advisor, and Hinckely Allen as Bond Counsel.

June 4, 2025

On June 4th, 2025, 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, 0.39 inches of precipitation was recorded at TF Green. Overall bacteria counts remained approximately the same as the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the Providence River (geometric mean of 93 MPN/100 mL for the Seekonk River compared to 30 MPN/100mL for the Providence River) for sampling conducted on June 4th. The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Point Street Bridge sampling location.

Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on May 21st (geometric mean of 30 MPN/100 mL compared to 45 MPN/100 mL on 5/21). Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on May 21st (geometric mean of 93 MPN/100 mL compared to 37 MPN/100 mL on 5/21).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 18 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 183 MPN/100 mL at Point St Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is June 18th.

The table below lists the Rhode Island bacteria standards for primary contact and shellfishing established by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). RIDEM defines primary contact as any recreational activities in which there is prolonged and intimate contact with water, involving considerable risk of ingesting water (e.g., swimming, diving, water skiing and surfing). Please note that the RIDEM bacteria standards are provided here for informational purposes only and are not intended to indicate official state compliance with primary contact or shellfishing standards.

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.

May 21, 2025

On May 21st, 2025, 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, 0.04 inches of precipitation was recorded at TF Green. Overall bacteria counts were lower than during the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Seekonk River, compared to the Providence River (geometric mean of 37 MPN/100 mL for the Seekonk River compared to 45 MPN/100mL for the Providence River) for sampling conducted on May 21st. The maximum count (2,300 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Point Street Bridge sampling location.

Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on May 7th (geometric mean of 45 MPN/100 mL compared to 369 MPN/100 mL on 5/7). Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on May 7th (geometric mean of 37 MPN/100 mL compared to 1121 MPN/100 mL on 5/7).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 16 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 74 MPN/100 mL at Point St Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is June 4^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.

May 7, 2025

On May 7th, 2025, 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, 2.10 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 1121 MPN/100 mL for the Seekonk River compared to 369 MPN/100mL for the Providence River) for sampling conducted on May 7th. The maximum count (9,300 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Collier Point Park sampling location.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on April 23rd (geometric mean of 369 MPN/100 mL compared to 12 MPN/100 mL on 4/23). Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on April 23rd (geometric mean of 1121 MPN/100 mL compared to 72 MPN/100 mL on 4/23).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 128 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at Conimicut Point to 2046 MPN/100 mL at Point St Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is May 21^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.

April 23, 2025

On April 23rd, 2025, 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, 0.05 inches of precipitation was recorded at TF Green. 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 72 MPN/100 mL for the Seekonk River compared to 12 MPN/100mL for the Providence River) for sampling conducted on April 23rd. The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Point Street Bridge sampling location.

Fecal coliform counts were lower in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on March 26th (geometric mean of 12 MPN/100 mL compared to 38 MPN/100 mL on 3/26). Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on March 26th (geometric mean of 72 MPN/100 mL compared to 67 MPN/100 mL on 3/26).

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 12 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 20 MPN/100 mL at Point St Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is May 7th.

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 11, 2025

Water column profiles were conducted at seven locations in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries on June 11, 2025 using a Seabird Electronics profiler. In the five days leading up to the survey, 0.85 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green. Water column stratification varied between the sites this week from moderately stratified at India Point Park and Phillipsdale Landing to strongly stratified at all other sites.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions were not observed to be below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at any site profiled this week. The highest fluorescence recorded this week was measured around 2 meters below the surface at Bullock Reach Buoy.

June 4, 2025

Water column profiles were conducted at eight locations in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries on June 4, 2025 using a Seabird Electronics profiler. In the five days leading up to the survey, 0.39 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green. Water column stratification varied between the sites this week from weakly stratified at Point Street Bridge to strongly stratified at all other sites.

May 28, 2025

Water column profiles were conducted at eight locations in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries on May 28, 2025 using a Seabird Electronics profiler. In the five days leading up to the survey, 0.15 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green. Water column stratification varied between the sites this week from moderately stratified at Bullock Reach Buoy and India Point Park to strongly stratified at all other sites.

June 11, 2025

Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on June 11, 2025. In the five days prior to the survey, 0.85 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.4 meters. The lowest clarity this week (2.1 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the greatest clarity (2.9 meters) was measured at India Point Park. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity among most sites remained relatively consistent compared to previous measurements (data collected June 4, 2025). However, water quality at Point Street Bridge decreased (1.1 meters) and water quality at Bullock’s Reach decreased (1.3 meters), both compared to previous measurements (data collected June 4, 2025).