Rhode Island Beach Water Quality Monitoring for Fecal Bacteria

Bacteria levels at licensed bathing beaches in Rhode Island are monitored and related to factors like rainfall, combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and waterfowl presence. The dataset likely contains measurements of fecal coliform and enterococci, with sampling frequency varying by historical results, contamination sources, and bather numbers. Data collection was funded federally through at least the 2003 season, with a planned transition to using enterococci as the primary indicator starting in 2004.

Use Cases

• Correlating beach water quality violations with rainfall events based on the described relationship.
• Identifying beaches at higher risk of closure due to proximity to known contamination sources mentioned in the description.
• Analyzing seasonal or long-term trends in fecal coliform and enterococci levels at specific waterbodies.
• Assessing the impact of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) on recreational water quality in Narragansett and Greenwich Bays.

Strengths

• Monitoring program is based on state water quality standards, providing a regulatory framework for data interpretation.
• Specific environmental factors influencing bacteria levels (rainfall, CSOs, waterfowl) are identified in the description.
• The dataset covers over 40 named waterbodies and watersheds in Rhode Island, including marine and freshwater sites.

Limitations

• Row count and specific column definitions are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The description indicates monitoring is limited by federal budget and excludes state-funded freshwater beach monitoring.
• Last update date and data freshness are unknown.

Provenance

Source

Rhode Island Department of Health Beach Monitoring Program, aggregated via NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

Samples collected at licensed bathing beaches according to a program considering historical results and contamination sources.

Time Range

Data collection was active through at least 2003, with a planned methodology change in 2004.

Geography

Licensed bathing beaches throughout the state of Rhode Island, USA, including specific waterbodies in Narragansett Bay, Greenwich Bay, and numerous ponds and reservoirs.