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.
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
Water clarity was measured at eight locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on October 1, 2025. In the five days prior to the survey, 0.06 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.9 meters. The lowest clarity this week (2.7 meters) was measured at Conimicut Point, while the greatest clarity (3.3 meters) was measured at Edgewood Yacht Club. 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 17, 2025).
Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of July 15th. Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was fair this week. Weather conditions were dry, with only a trace of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 12.6 ppt and ranged from 2.3 ppt to 24.0 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 21.2 ppt and ranged from 10.3 ppt to 28.1 ppt. Temperatures averaged 25.7°C at the surface and 6.9°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 5.6°C to 6.8°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 6.1°C to 7.1°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. The longest periods of hypoxic conditions spanned 11.5 hours, occurring during the day of July 18th. During this period, the bottom DO averaged around 1.99 mg/L. Surface DO averaged 8.1 mg/L and ranged from 2.1 mg/L to 17.4 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 2.6 mg/L and ranged from 0.3 mg/L to 9.7 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings increased from last week, averaging 46.4 µg/L at the surface and 28.2 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 296.8 µg/L on the morning of July 17th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.
Bullock Reach
Due to water intrusion, Bullock Reach’s middle sonde was retrieved July 7th. No data is available at the mid depth this week. Overall, water quality was good to fair at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 25.1 ppt, and 30.3 ppt at the surface, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 22.3– 28.0 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 28.3 – 31.1 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 25.5°C and ranged from 23.9°C to 27.7°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 21.7°C and ranged from 19.9°C to 26.4°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) at the surface throughout the week, while DO at the bottom waters dropped below the hypoxic threshold throughout the week.Surface DO averaged 7.7 mg/L and ranged 5.7 – 10.7 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.2 mg/L and ranged 2.0 – 5.6 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated throughout the week. Readings averaged 22.3 µg/L at the surface, and 3.7 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 40.3 µg/L on the afternoon of July 15th.
Overall, the water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was fair this week. Weather conditions included frequent rain events this week, with 2.33 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow fluctuated throughout the week. Surface salinity averaged 11.1 ppt and ranged from 2.9 ppt to 22.5 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 21.3 ppt and ranged from 5.1 ppt to 28.2 ppt. Surface temperature increased this week, averaging 25.0°C at the surface and ranging 22.9°C – 28.8°C. The bottom temperature decreased averaged 21.3°C and ranged 5.1°C – 28.2°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing dropped below the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. The longest periods of hypoxic conditions spanned 22.5 hours, occurring at the bottom depth from the afternoon of July 9th until July 10th. During this period, the bottom DO averaged around 1.69 mg/L. Surface DO averaged 7.1 mg/L and ranged from 2.1 mg/L to 13.2 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 2.9 mg/L and ranged from 0.4 mg/L to 8.1 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings decreased from last week, averaging 24.8 µg/L at the surface and 24.0 µg/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached 97.0 µg/L on the morning of July 8th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.
Bullock Reach
Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of July 9th. Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 25.8 ppt, 28.7 ppt, and 30.8 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 22.3– 28.5 ppt, mid salinity ranged 25.2 – 29.3 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.0 – 31.9 ppt. Surface temperature averaged 24.5°C and ranged from 23.0°C to 26.0°C. Mid temperatures averaged 24.3°C and ranged from 23.3°C to 25.3°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 20.7°C and ranged from 18.4°C to 23.6°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 6.8 mg/L and ranged 3.8 – 11.6 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 6.6 mg/L and ranged 4.7 – 7.8 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 3.8 mg/L and ranged 2.9 – 6.2 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings ranged from low to elevated throughout the week. Readings averaged 14.2 µg/L at the surface, 13.5 µg/L at mid-depth, and 4.8 µg/L at the bottom. The maximum surface chlorophyll was 58.9 µg/L on the afternoon of July 13th.
Surface chlorophyll data were collected on September 17, 2025, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in the Northern Providence River Channel and the Seekonk River, and as fair in all other areas. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair over all areas surveyed. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 0.98 µg/L to 20.49 µg/L with an average of 6.73 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.
Phytoplankton samples were collected on September 3, 2025 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.
It was sunny, calm and warm on this day. The water temperature was 21.83 °C, the salinity was 30.37 psu, and the chlorophyll a was 4.82 ug/L.
The qualitative tow net sample had a moderate filtration time. The filtrate was dark brown and cloudy with sediment.
The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 1,096,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 560,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Leptocylindrus spp. at 177,000 cells/L, Skeletonema spp. at 107,000 cells/L, and Chaetoceros spp. at 83,000 cells/L.
200x phase contrast image of Scrippsiella spp.
Scrippsiella spp. is a genus of pear-shaped, cosmopolitan dinoflagellates found in coastal temperate waters. They are able to form harmful algal blooms that lead to water discoloration. They are also efficient cyst producers, which act as a benthic reservoir of the vegetative population and contribute to the dinoflagellate’s success in a neritic environment.
Nutrient samples were collected from six river stations and seven bay stations on August 20th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.01” of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green.
Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 1,600 ppb, TDN = 1,650 ppb, DIN = 1,327.2 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave (TN = 674 ppb, TDN = 801 ppb, DIN = 629.8 ppb).
Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN was observed at Phillipsdale Landing (1,460 ppb). The highest TDN and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TDN = 1,090 ppb, DIN = 796). The lowest surface TN and TDN were observed at Conimicut Point (TN = 482 ppb, TDN = 130 ppb). The lowest surface DIN was observed at four of the seven bay stations (13 ppb, reflecting minimum detection limits for DIN).
The next scheduled sampling date is September 3rd, 2025.
Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on September 17, 2025. In the five days prior to the survey there was no precipitation recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.2 meters. The lowest clarity this week (1.7 meters) was measured at India Point Park, while the greatest clarity (2.7 meters) was measured at Bullock Reach. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week. Overall, water clarity decreased from the previous measurements (data collected September 10, 2025).
Phytoplankton samples were collected on August 20, 2025 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.
The water temperature was 23.1 °C, the salinity was 20.4 psu, and the chlorophyll a was 64.01ug/L
The qualitative tow net sample had a long filtration time. The filtrate was murky and dark brown. An aroma of seaweed was also noted in this sample.
The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 2,015,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Leptocylindrus spp. at 995,000 cells/L, Skeletonema spp. at 390,000 cells/L, and Chaetoceros spp. at 350,000 cells/L.
200x phase contrast image of Thalassionema spp.
Thalassionema is a small genus of mostly marine diatoms which form zig-zag or fan-shaped colonies of rectangular cells. They are commonly found in nutrient-rich upwelling regions and their presence indicates conditions of high productivity.
On September 10th, 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, 1.59 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 94 MPN/100 mL for the Seekonk River compared to 19 MPN/100mL for the Providence River) for sampling conducted on September 10th. The maximum count (1,500 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Point Street Bridge sampling location.
Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Providence River, compared to the previous sampling on August 27th (geometric mean of 19 MPN/100 mL compared to 6 MPN/100 mL on 8/27). Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River, compared to the previous sampling on August 27th (geometric mean of 94 MPN/100 mL compared to 23 MPN/100 mL on 8/27).
Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 10 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at most sites to 20 MPN/100 mL at Point Street Bridge.
The next scheduled sampling date is September 24th.
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
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.
