Beach Monitoring Program

Mission

To protect the public from illness associated with swimming in contaminated fresh and salt bathing waters.

What We Do

Maintain a risk-based water sampling schedule from Memorial Day to Labor Day

Water samples are collected by the Department and analyzed for Enterococci bacteria (an indicator organism used to detect the presence of fecal matter in the water column) based upon standards set by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and US Environmental Protection Agency. Rhode Island’s recreational water use quality standard states: saltwater bathing waters must not exceed a single sample standard of 104 colony forming units (cfu) Enterococci per 100 milliliters (mL) of water, and freshwater bathing waters must not exceed a single sample standard of 61cfu Enterococci per 100 mL of water. Both salt and freshwater beach facilities are required to conduct sampling to ensure safe swimming conditions as part of their recreational licenses.

Identify and eliminate sources of contamination

Stormwater, wastewater, and run-off are all major contributors to poor water quality at licensed beaches. To address this issue the Beach Program works closely with beach owners and managers, cities and towns, and other state agencies to identify and eliminate the sources of contamination.

2011 Accomplishments

• Collected 2677 water samples from licensed beaches across Rhode Island.
• Assisted beach owners and managers with finding and eliminating sources of contamination.
• Tracked and investigated illnesses.
• Participated in Governor's Bay Day at Misquamicut State Beach to promote watershed management and introduce children to clean water practices.