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

July 22-23, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations and seven bay stations on July 22^nd and 23^rd. All bay stations were sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 2.28 inches 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 Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 1,390 ppb, TDN = 1,355 ppb, DIN = 1,127 ppb, averages of duplicates). The lowest TN TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Footbridge at Mill St. (TN = 703 ppb, TDN = 645 ppb, DIN = 396.7 ppb).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN was observed at Phillipsdale Landing (1,760 ppb). The highest surface TDN and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TDN = 543 ppb, DIN = 627.5). The lowest surface TN was observed at Conimicut Point (523 ppb). The lowest surface TDN was observed at Bullock Reach Buoy (120 ppb), and the lowest surface DIN was observed at Edgewood Yacht Club (13 ppb, representing minimum detection limits).

The next scheduled sampling date is August 5^th, 2026.

July 8, 2026

Nutrient samples were collected from thirteen river stations and eight bay stations on July 8^th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface; Edgewood Shoal was sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, 2.89 inches 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 Blackstone River @ Fairmount St (TN = 1,850 ppb, TDN = 1,915 ppb, DIN = 1,610.5, averages of duplicates). The lowest TN was observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave (426 ppb). The lowest TDN and DIN were observed at Palmer River @ Rt. 6 (TDN = 372 ppb, DIN = 70.6).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN was observed at Phillipsdale Landing (1,330 ppb). The highest surface TDN and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TDN = 846 ppb, DIN = 717, averages of duplicates). The lowest surface TN and DIN were observed at Edgewood Shoal (TN = 555 ppb, DIN = 126.8 ppb). The lowest surface TDN was observed at Edgewood Yacht Club (180 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is July 22^nd, 2026.

August 19, 2026

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on August 19, 2026, while the R/V Data Stream was underway collecting bacteria samples in the Providence and Seekonk River Estuaries. The chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair overall with most areas sampled having average chlorophyll concentrations between 5 µg/L and 20 µg/L, with the exception of the Seekonk River, which had average chlorophyll concentrations above 20 µg/L (categorized as poor), and the Northern Providence River Channel, which had average chlorophyll concentrations below 5 µg/L (categorized as good). Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 1.93 µg/L to 557.34 µg/L with an average of 17.05 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

August 19, 2026

Water column profiles were conducted using a Seabird Electronics profiler at sixlocations in the Providence River and one location in the Seekonk River on August 19, 2026. In the five days leading up to this, there were 0.31 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). Moderate water column stratification was observed at Phillipsdale Landing. The water column was weakly stratified at Conimicut Point, Bullock Reach, Edgewood Yacht Club, Pomham Rocks, and India Point Park. The water column at Pawtuxet Cove was well mixed.

Dissolved oxygen conditions below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) were observed throughout the water column at India Point Park. The lower part of the water column at Bullock Reach, Pawtuxet Cove, Edgewood Yacht Club, Pomham Rocks and Phillipsdale Landing had dissolved oxygen conditions below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L). The highest fluorescence reading was observed two meters below the surface at Edgewood Yacht Club.

August 5, 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 August 5, 2026. In the five days leading up to this, there were 2.57 inches of rain recorded at T.F. Green International Airport (Warwick, RI). The water column was strongly stratified at Conimicut Point, Edgewood Yacht Club, Edgewood Shoal, India Point Park and Phillipsdale Landing; moderate water column stratification was observed at Bullock Reach, Pawtuxet Cove and Pomham Rocks.

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

August 19

Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on August 19, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 0.13 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 2.4 meters. The lowest clarity this week (0.7 meters) was measured at Phillipsdale Landing, while the greatest clarity (3.7 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 August 5, 2026).

July 30, 2026

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on July 30, 2026, while the R/V Data Stream was underway collecting bacteria samples in the Providence and Seekonk River Estuaries. The chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair overall with most areas sampled having average chlorophyll concentrations between 5 µg/L and 20 µg/L, with the exception of the Seekonk River, which had average chlorophyll concentrations above 20 µg/L (categorized as poor). Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 3.63 µg/L to 128.48 µg/L with an average of 15.46 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

August 5, 2026

Water clarity was measured at eight locations in the Providence River and Seekonk River estuaries on August 5, 2026. In the five days prior to the survey, 2.57 inches of precipitation were recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth averaged 1.8 meters. The lowest clarity this week (1.2 meters) was measured at Pawtuxet Cove, while the greatest clarity (2.1 meters) was observed at Bullock Reach. 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 July 23, 2026).

June 10, 2026

Phytoplankton samples were collected on June 10, 2026 at Bullock’s Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.

On this day, the water temperature was 20.03 °C, the salinity was 27.2 PSU, and the chlorophyll a was 1.54 ug/L.

The qualitative tow net sample had a long filtration time and was cloudy and light golden brown in coloration.

The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 5,570,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 515,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Dactyliosolen spp. at 4,650,000 cells/L, Skeletonema spp. at 250,000 cells/L, and Chaetoceros spp. at 120,000 cells/L.

200x phase contrast image of Peridinium spp.

Peridinium spp. are cosmopolitan dinoflagellates mostly found in freshwater lakes, ponds and pools. Some inhabit brackish environments. This genus was originally described in the early 1830s, making it one of the first known groups of dinoflagellates. They are thought to be mixotrophic, which means they obtain energy through photosynthesis (autotrophy), and ingestion of small organisms (heterotrophy).

July 23, 2026

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on July 23, 2026, while the R/V Data Stream was underway collecting bacteria samples in the Providence and Seekonk River Estuaries. The chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as fair overall with most areas sampled having average chlorophyll concentrations between 5 µg/L and 20 µg/L, with the exception of the Seekonk River, which had average chlorophyll concentrations above 20 µg/L (categorized as poor). Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 4.51 µg/L to 77.03 µg/L with an average of 15.49 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.