“Follow the Flush” with a Free Tour!

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

March 19, 2025

Phytoplankton samples were collected on March 19, 2025 at Bullock Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.

It was sunny and cold on this day. The water temperature was 6.6 degrees Celsius, and jellyfish were observed. Sonde data was not recorded.

The qualitative tow net sample had a moderate to long filtration time and the filtrate was cloudy and dark brown with a large amount of sediment.

The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 4,744,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 86,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Leptocylindrus spp. at 2,918,000 cells/L, Chaetoceros spp. at 1,474,000 cells/L, and Skeletonema spp. at 144,000 cells/L.

200x phase contrast micrograph of Pyrocystis spp.
200x phase contrast micrograph of Pyrocystis spp.

Pyrocystis spp., shown here in a 200x phase contrast micrograph, are non-motile, tropical, epipelagic marine dinoflagellates. They exhibit bioluminescence, which means emitting light through a chemical reaction, when they are disturbed or agitated. This is an unusual defense mechanism against predation which aims to startle grazers who would otherwise eat them.

November 14, 2024

Phytoplankton samples were collected on November 14, 2024 at Bullock Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.

It was partly sunny, windy and cold on this day. Sonde data was not recorded.

The qualitative tow net sample had a quick filtration time and the filtrate contained some light brown particulates and plant matter.

The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 288,000 cells/L. The microflagellates were found at 30,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genera were Chaetoceros spp. at 34,000 cells/L, Leptocylindrus spp. at 76,000 cells/L, and Heterocapsa spp. at 26,000 cells/L.

200x phase contrast micrograph of Staurastrum spp.

Staurastrum, shown here in a 200x phase contrast micrograph, is a large genus of microscopic green algae which are closely related to land plants. They are found in freshwater habitats around the world and live primarily in acidic lakes, ponds and swamps with low nutrient levels. Many Staurastrum species serve as indicators of eutrophic conditions.

February 19, 2025

Nutrient samples were collected from six river stations on February 19th. No samples were collected from bay stations due to adverse weather conditions. In the five days prior to sampling, 1.98 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green. 

The highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Blackstone River @ Slater Mill (TN = 1,810 ppb, TDN = 1,960 ppb, DIN = 1,533 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN and DIN concentrations were observed at Woonasquatucket River @ Manton Ave. Bridge (TN =625 ppb, TDN = 711 ppb, DIN = 480 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is March 5, 2025.

February 5, 2025

Nutrient samples were collected from twelve river stations on February 5th. No samples were collected from bay stations due to adverse weather conditions. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.74 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green. 

The highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Ten Mile River @ Central Ave. (TN = 3,160 ppb, TDN = 3,890 ppb, DIN = 3,148 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN and DIN concentrations were observed at Coles River @ Milford Rd. (TN =663 ppb, TDN = 727 ppb, DIN = 289 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is February 19, 2025.

NBC Sponsors Annual Poster Contest for Grades K-6

The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) is proud to sponsor its 32nd annual student poster contest. The theme of this year’s contest is The Best Day I Had With Water. The NBC would like students to artistically showcase a day they remember having a great time with water. There are so many activities that involve water. Students could draw themselves at a beach, a water park, in a canoe, using their own pool, or even enjoying a drink of water after a grueling sports activity. Water helps us daily, let’s celebrate it!

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 2026 poster calendar, and winners are invited to a recognition ceremony 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 2, 2025!

For more information, please call the NBC’s Public Affairs Office at 401-443-4947 or email cmorissette@narrabay.com.

October 30, 2024

Water column profiles were conducted at seven locations in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries on October 30, 2024 using a Seabird Electronics profiler. In the five days leading up to the survey, no precipitation was recorded at T.F. Green.  Water column stratification varied between the sites this week from well-mixed at most sites to weakly stratified at Phillipsdale Landing.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions were not observed to be below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at any site profiled this week. The highest fluorescence recorded this week was measured around 1 meter below the surface at Phillipsdale Landing.

October 23, 2024

Water column profiles were conducted at six locations in the Providence River estuary on October 23, 2024 using a Seabird Electronics profiler. A seventh site, Point Street Bridge, was visited, but no data was collected due to an equipment malfunction. In the five days leading up to the survey, no precipitation was recorded at T.F. Green.  Water column stratification varied between the sites this week from well-mixed at Pawtuxet Cove to moderately stratified at India Point Park.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions were not observed to be below the hypoxia threshold (2.9 mg/L) at any site profiled this week. The highest fluorescence recorded this week was measured around 2.5 meters below the surface at Conimicut Point.

January 22, 2025

Nutrient samples were collected from six river stations on January 22th. No samples were collected from bay stations due to adverse weather conditions. In the five days prior to sampling, 0.79 inches of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green. 

The highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 1,920 ppb, TDN = 2,110 ppb, DIN = 1,734 ppb). The lowest TN and DIN concentrations were observed at Moshassuck River @ Footbridge at Mill St. (TN =777 ppb, DIN = 657 ppb). The lowest TDN concentration was observed at Woonasquatucket River @ Manton Ave. Bridge (896 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is February 5, 2025.

January 8, 2025

Nutrient samples were collected from eleven river stations on January 8th. No samples were collected from bay stations due to adverse weather conditions. In the five days prior to sampling, trace amounts of precipitation were recorded at T.F. Green. 

The highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Ten Mile River @ Central Ave. (TN = 2,760  ppb, TDN = 2,970 ppb, DIN = 2,729 ppb – averages of duplicates). The lowest TN, TDN and DIN concentrations were observed at Coles River @ Milford Rd. (TN = 641 ppb, TDN = 650 ppb, DIN = 209 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is January 22, 2025.

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