The purpose of the RiverWatch Water Quality surveys are to determine whether or not sites along the North and South Rivers have exceeded colony concentration numbers for Massachusetts’ swimming and shellfishing standards. Enterococcus colonies were collected at ten sites along the North and South Rivers, while fecal coliform samples were collected in shellfish growing areas (none of which are open at the moment for harvest). According to Massachusetts’ swimming standards, enterococcus levels may not exceed 104 cfu per 100mL of water sampled. The Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries shellfishing standard is 14 cfu per 100mL of fecal coliform.
For samples collected on August 14, water at the Washington Street Bridge, Cornhill Lane, and the Keville Footbridge exceeded the Massachusetts’ swimming standard for enterococcus.
Shellfish beds are closed from May 31 until November 1 so the information presented in this section is purely for informational purposes. Concentrations of fecal coliform exceeded the shellfish standard at Driftway Park, North River Marine, Damon’s Point, the North River Mouth, and the Julian Street Bridge.
Compared to the week of July 29th, the enterococcus levels at most of the locations dropped. The enterococcus level at the Union Street Bridge had the largest decrease, dropping into the state’s safe swimming standards. Most of the fecal coliform levels also decreased, although all were still above the safe shellfish standard.
The next round of sampling will be conducted on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.