On August 31st, six stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence River; one of these stations was also sampled for enterococci bacteria. There was a smaller set of stations sampled than normal due to weather conditions. Precipitation in the five days prior to sampling totaled 0.14 inches as recorded at TF Green.
Overall, bacteria counts were higher in the Providence River this week than during the previous sampling event on August 16. The fecal coliform geomean for the Providence River was 110 MPN/100 mL this week. The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Save the Bay site in the Providence River.
Enterococci was only sampled at one site this week. Gaspee Point measured a non-detect enterococci count.
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.