Apply for a NBC 2024 Environmental Merit Award Today!

The Narragansett Bay Commission is proud to announce its thirtieth annual Environmental Merit Awards.

Each year, the Narragansett Bay Commission honors companies that have gone beyond compliance using pollution prevention techniques and approaches, have implemented stormwater mitigation technologies, and those companies that have achieved perfect compliance records. The future economic and environmental well- being of Rhode Island is dependent upon industry working together with environmental agencies like the Narragansett Bay Commission to reduce or eliminate waste. The Narragansett Bay Commission’s Environmental Merit Awards program provides an opportunity for companies to receive public recognition for operational advances behind the scenes that have helped protect the environment.

The Narragansett Bay Commission’s Environmental Merit Award winners set the standards for all regulated businesses. Other businesses are encouraged to achieve this level of success with the help of the Narragansett Bay Commission’s Pollution Prevention Program. The non-regulatory Pollution Prevention Program helps the industrial community find environmentally and economically sound ways of eliminating or reducing the generation of industrial wastes and pollutants.

We welcome your nomination for this year’s Environmental Merit Awards. Nominations are due March 5, 2025. Download the nomination form here.

NBC Announces 2025 Chairman’s River Restoration Earth Day Clean Up Grants

The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) is offering grants ranging from $250 up to $1,000 for local Earth Day River and Lake Cleanups, restoration or beautification projects for areas located within the NBC service area or along NBC receiving waters. The goal of the NBC 2025 Earth Day River Cleanup Grant Program is to clean up our important environmental resources by providing funding assistance to local organizations restoring and improving the green spaces in their communities. Deadline for applications is February 14, 2025.


The grants may be used for Earth Day volunteer cleanup projects of green spaces and river, lake and pond cleanup projects located within the NBC service district or along NBC receiving waters. Projects that include an educational component to educate volunteers about some aspect of the environment, environmental restoration, protection are preferred. All sections of the grant application, including the project description form must be completed. Applications must be accompanied with an invoice on organizational letterhead with the grant award total request listed. The invoice must have the letterhead of your organization. An invoice template is attached for your use. Please tailor the template to your organization’s needs. Any incomplete grant application forms received will not be considered. Only one application per project will be considered, and projects must be completed no later than September 8, 2025. The range of funding for any single project shall be between $250 and $1,000, depending upon the number of applicants and funding availability.

Download the grant application here.

November 20, 2024

On November 20th, 2024, 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, no precipitation was recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts in both the Providence and Seekonk Rivers were lower compared to previous sampling (November 7th, 2024).

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 14 MPN/100 mL and 9 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (93 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Point St. Bridge. 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 15 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 75 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is December 4th.

​​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

 ​​​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​mEnterococci
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
ShellfishingGeometr​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.​​​​​​​​​​

November 7, 2024

On November 7th, 2024 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, no precipitation was recorded at TF Green. 

​Overall, bacteria counts in the Seekonk River were lower compared to previous sampling (October 9th, 2024); in the Providence River, bacteria counts were similar compared to the previous sampling event (October 23rd, 2024). 

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 51 MPN/100 mL and 11 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Bishop Point. 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 14 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 31 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is November 20th.

​​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

 ​​​Fec​al Co​li​fo​r​mEnterococci
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
ShellfishingGeometr​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.​​​​​​​​​​

October 9, 2024

​On October 9th, 2024 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, precipitation totaled 0.81 inches as recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were higher in both the Seekonk River and the Providence River compared to the previous sampling event (September 25th, 2024). 

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 69 MPN/100 mL and 37 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (930 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Point St Bridge. 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 75 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is October 23rd.

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

 ​​Fec​al Coli​fo​rmEnterococci
Primary
Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​		Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ m​L​
<10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL		Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​
All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
ShellfishingGeometric 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.​​​​​​​​​​

September 25, 2024

On September 25th, 2024 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, precipitation totaled 0.78 inches as recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were lower in the Seekonk River and higher in the Providence River than during the previous sampling event. 

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 46 MPN/100 mL and 14 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Point St Bridge. 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at all sites except Point St Bridge, which was 63 MPN/100 mL.

The next scheduled sampling date is October 9th.

​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

 ​​Fec​al Coli​fo​rmEnterococci
Primary
Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​		Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50​ MPN/1​​00​ m​L​
<10% ​o​f​​ samples >4​00 MPN/100 ​mL		Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​
All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
ShellfishingGeometric 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.​​​​​​​​​​

September 11th, 2024

On September 11th, 2024, 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, precipitation totaled 0.02 inches as recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were higher in the Seekonk River and lower in the Providence River than during the previous sampling event. 

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 54 MPN/100 mL and 8 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (930 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Point St Bridge. 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 13 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at all sites except Point St Bridge, which was 63 MPN/100 mL.

The next scheduled sampling date is September 25th.

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

 ​​Fec​al Coli​fo​rmEnterococci
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
ShellfishingGeometric 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.​​​​​​​​​​

August 28, 2024

​On August 28th, 2024 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, precipitation totaled 0.38 inches as recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were lower in both the Seekonk and Providence Rivers than during the previous sampling event.

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 53 MPN/100 mL and 13 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Bishop Point and Point St Bridge. 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 14 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from 110 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge to <10 MPN/100 mL at all other sites.

The next scheduled sampling date is September 11th.

​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

 ​​Fec​al Coli​fo​rmEnterococci
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
ShellfishingGeometric 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.​​​​​​​​​​

August 14, 2024

​On August 14th, 2024 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, precipitation totaled 0.05 inches as recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were lower in the Seekonk River and higher in the Providence River than during the previous sampling event. 

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 95 MPN/100 mL and 38 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (930 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Point St Bridge. 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 14 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at Phillipsdale Landing, South FP East, Gaspee Point, and Conimicut Point to 121 MPN/100 mL at Point St Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is August 28.

​​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

 ​​Fec​al Coli​fo​rmEnterococci
Primary
Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​		Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50 MPN/1​​00​ mL​
<10% ​o​f​​ samples >400 MPN/100 ​mL		Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​
All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
ShellfishingGeometric 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.​​​​​​​​​​

August 1, 2024

On August 1st, 2024 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, precipitation totaled 0.11 inches as recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were higher in both the Seekonk and Providence Rivers than during the previous sampling event. 

Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 249 MPN/100 mL and 33 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (2300 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Point St Bridge. 

Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 14 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at Gaspee Point and Conimicut Point to 86 MPN/100 mL at Point St Bridge.

The next scheduled sampling date is August 14.

​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

 ​​Fec​al Coli​fo​rmEnterococci
Primary
Con​​​t​a​c​t1​​​​​		Geom​e​tric ​m​e​a​n​ ≤50 MPN/1​​00​ mL​
<10% ​o​f​​ sam​ples >400 MPN/100 ​mL		Geom​etric mean ≤35 colo​nies​/100 mL​
All sa​mples ≤104 colonies/100 ​​mL2
ShellfishingGeometric 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.​​​​​​​​​​

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