News – Narrabay

Clean Water Open House: 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 18 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, photo ops inside a sewer pipe, and other fun activities.

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).

Members of the public can book a tour at 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM or 12:00 noon by emailing nbcpr@narrabay.com. Spaces are limited. The tour will take approximately 90 minutes.

Enter NBC’s 2027 Student Poster Contest Today!

Contest deadline is Friday, May 1!

The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) is proud to sponsor its 33rd annual student poster contest. The theme of this year’s contest is Water’s Journey Through Time. The NBC would like students to artistically showcase how water has changed or will change over time. Students may want to research what the Narragansett Bay looked like many years ago and depict that view in their poster. Some may want to use their imaginations and create a poster of what Narragansett Bay will look like 20, 30, 40, or even 50 years from now. Others may want to create snapshots of Narragansett Bay starting in the past and traveling into the future. We encourage students to use their creativity and come up with their own idea of what the theme means to them.

The theme of the poster contest this year correlates with an event where NBC will open a time capsule that was buried 25 years ago. The time capsule was buried on April 24, 2001, in honor of NBC Field’s Point Wastewater Treatment Facility’s 100^th birthday! The ceremony will take place during Clean Water Week. There are other events happening around the state honoring water that week. Please visit https://ricwa.org/event/clean-water-week-open-house/ to learn more.

The contest rules are as follows:

Students must be in grades K-6 and reside in Providence, North Providence, Johnston, Central Falls, Lincoln, Pawtucket, Cumberland, Cranston, Smithfield, or East Providence.
Posters cannot be larger than 11×17 or smaller than 8 1/2×11.
Posters must include the student’s name, grade, school, home address, and phone number on the back.
Posters become the property of the Narragansett Bay Commission.
Winners receive a $100 cash prize, winning posters are printed in NBC’s 2027 poster calendar, and winners are invited to a recognition ceremony on Wednesday, June 3^rd, 2026 at 5:00 at the NBC Field’s Point Wastewater Treatment Facility at 2 Ernest Street, Providence.
Mail posters to the Narragansett Bay Commission’s Public Affairs Office at One Service Road, Providence, RI 02905.
THE CONTEST DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026!

We hope that your school will be able to participate in the contest! For more information, please call the NBC’s Environmental Education Coordinator at 401-443-4947.

Win a $250 Gift Card!

Want to win a $250 gift card? You can with the Narragansett Bay Commission AutoPay and paperless e-billing sweepstakes! To enter, visit www.narrabay.com/customer-care/pay-bill/ and log into your account. Enroll in either AutoPay or paperless e-billing and you’re in. Current users will automatically be entered.

The sweepstakes runs from November 1, 2025 – January 31,2026, making it the perfect way to get your new year started right. Enroll and enter today.

NBC Welcomes New CFO

Kevin McDonald has joined the Narragansett Bay Commission as Chief Financial Officer, where he will oversee the agency’s $302 M annual budget, which includes significant infrastructure investments such as the final phase of the agency’s Combined Sewer Overflow project. Mc Donald previously served as Director of Loan Operations for the US Army Corps of Engineers Water Infrastructure Financing Program and as a Senior Underwriter for the USEPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program.

“We are so pleased to welcome Kevin to the NBC,” said Executive Director Laurie Horridge. “His knowledge of public finance—and the water sector specifically—will benefit both the NBC’s ratepayers and the health of Narragansett Bay. We look forward to his collaboration and innovation as we continue to deliver on our clean water mission.”

McDonald has an undergraduate degree from Brown University in American History and a graduate degree from Harvard University in City and Regional Planning.

“Follow the Flush” with a Free Tour!

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

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

September 7 – September 13 2026

Walker Point

Sondes were swapped this week on September 9^th. Overall, water quality at Walker Point was poor to good this week. Weather conditions were extremely rainy this week, with a total of 4.20 inches recorded at T.F. Green, and the majority of rainfall occurring on the 13^th. Blackstone River flow was substantially lower than the 20-year daily median flow until September 13^th, where flows increased to above the 20-year daily median. Salinity at Walker Point surface averaged 24.7 ppt and ranged from 16.5 ppt to 28.9 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 28.0 ppt and ranged from 14.9 ppt to 30.2 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 22.6 °C at the surface and 22.7 °C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 20.8 °C to 24.2°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 21.7 °C to 23.9 °C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Walker Point remained above the hypoxia threshold at the surface for almost the entire week, but below the hypoxia threshold at the bottom for a portion of the time at the beginning of the week. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the surface only briefly on the morning of September 9^th. Hypoxic conditions were observed at the bottom for most of the morning and early of afternoon of September 7^th, as well for briefer, more intermittent periods on September 8^th and 9^th. Surface DO averaged 6.3 mg/L and ranged from 2.5 to 12.1 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 4.5 mg/L and ranged from 1.5 mg/L to 9.1 mg/L. Chlorophyll ranged from low to elevated levels throughout the week, averaging 14.6 ug/L at the surface and 17.9 ug/L at the bottom, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 41.4 ug/L on the afternoon of September 12^th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.

Bullock Reach

Overall, water quality ranged from fair to good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 29.2 ppt, 30.7 ppt, and 31.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged from 26.3 to 30.2 ppt, mid salinity ranged from 29.1 to 31.9 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged from 30.7 to 32.7 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 22.3 °C and ranged from 21.1 °C to 23.8 °C. Mid temperatures averaged 22.1 °C and ranged from 21.2 °C to 22.8 °C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.8 °C and ranged from 21.0 °C to 22.7 °C.

DO at Bullock Reach did not experience hypoxic conditions (i.e., DO < 2.9 mg/L) during the week. Surface DO averaged 7.2 mg/L and ranged from 5.5 to 9.7 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.2 mg/L and ranged from 3.4 to 9.3 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 5.2 mg/L and ranged from 3.3 to 6.9 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated, with evidence of moderate phytoplankton blooms occurring throughout the week. Readings averaged 12.1 µg/L at the surface, 13.9 µg/L at mid-depth, and 8.5 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 35.8 µg/L on the afternoon of September 12^th.

September 30, 2026

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on September 30, 2026, while the R/V Data Stream was underway collecting nutrients samples in the Providence and Seekonk River Estuaries. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good overall with all areas sampled having average chlorophyll concentrations <5 µg/L. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 1.23 µg/L to 12.56 µg/L with an average of 2.58 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

August 19, 2026

Phytoplankton samples were collected on August 19, 2026 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.

The water temperature was 24.59 °C, the salinity was 24.02 psu, and the chlorophyll a was 6.27 ug/L.

The qualitative tow net sample had a moderate filtration time. The filtrate was mostly clear with some large pieces of algae.

The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 353,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 240,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Prorocentrum spp. at 29,000 cells/L, Protoperidinium spp. at 14,000 cells/L, and Pennate Unknown spp. at 14,000 cells/L.

200x phase contrast image of Polykrikos spp.

Polykrikos spp. are unarmored dinoflagellates found in tropical to temperate marine waters. They often feed on diatoms as well as other dinoflagellates such as Ceratium and Gonyaulax. Their predation of Alexandrium species can contribute to the reduction of toxic algal blooms.

September 22, 2026

On September 22^nd, 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, 0.27 inches of precipitation was recorded at TF Green.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the Providence River (geometric mean of 67 MPN/100 mL for the Seekonk River compared to 12 MPN/100mL for the Providence River) for sampling conducted on September 22nd. The maximum count (1,500 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Point St. Bridge sampling location.

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 33 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 496 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is October 7^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.

September 22, 2026

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on September 22, 2026, while the R/V Data Stream was underway collecting bacteria samples in the Providence and Seekonk River Estuaries. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in the Northern Providence River Channel and the Pawtuxet River Area, and as fair in all other areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 2.10 µg/L to 15.02 µg/L with an average of 6.57 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

September 22, 2026

Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on September 22, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 0.27 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 3.5 meters. The lowest clarity this week (2.7 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the greatest clarity (3.9 meters) was observed at Conimicut Point. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity increased from the previous measurements (data collected September 16, 2026).

September 16, 2026

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on September 16, 2026, while the R/V Data Stream was underway collecting nutrients samples in the Providence and Seekonk River Estuaries. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair overall with all areas sampled having average chlorophyll concentrations between 5 µg/L and 20 µg/L. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 3.77 µg/L to 20.37 µg/L with an average of 8.27 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

September 16, 2026

Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on September 16, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 4.18 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.7 meters. The lowest clarity this week (1.5 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the greatest clarity (3.7 meters) was observed at Conimicut Point. There was a general north-to-south trend of increasing water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity decreased from the previous measurements (data collected September 9, 2026).

September 16, 2026

Water column profiles were conducted using a Seabird Electronics profiler at six locations in the Providence River and one location in the Seekonk River on September 16, 2026. In the five days leading up to this, there were 4.18 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). The water column was weakly stratified at Bullock Reach, Conimicut Point, Edgewood Yacht Club and Pomham Rocks. Moderate stratification was observed at India Point Park and Phillipsdale Landing. The water column at Pawtuxet Cove was strongly stratified.

Dissolved oxygen conditions below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) were observed in the lower part of the water column at Edgewood Yacht Club, India Point Park and Phillipsdale Landing. The highest fluorescence reading was observed one meter below the surface at Phillipsdale Landing.

September 9, 2026

Water column profiles were conducted using a Seabird Electronics profiler at seven locations in the Providence River and one location in the Seekonk River on September 9, 2026. In the five days leading up to this, there were 0.06 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). The water column was weakly stratified at Phillipsdale Landing and well-mixed at all other profiling locations: Bullock reach, Conimicut Point, Edgewood Yacht Club, Pawtuxet Cove, Pomham Rocks, Point Street Bridge and India Point Park.

Dissolved oxygen conditions below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) were observed in the lower part of the water column at Pawtuxet Cove, Pomham Rocks and Point Street Bridge. The entire water column at India Point Park and Phillipsdale Landing had dissolved oxygen concentrations below the hypoxia threshold. The highest fluorescence reading was observed 1.25 meters below the surface at Phillipsdale Landing.