In June 2023, we launched WATER WATCHDOGS – a weekly bacteria monitoring program for the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed. The purpose of this program is to inform people when popular public river/creek accesses are safe for recreating, or not.

Although we hope that water quality is safe all the time, that’s simply not the case especially during weather events when bacteria may enter streams and rivers through sewage overflows, improper treatment of waste, runoff of animal waste, and other ways. Our headquarters is located in Wrightsville so we are starting to monitor these areas first. We are measuring E. coli counts using the IDEXX colilert 18 method. We will be conducting weekly monitoring during the recreational season Memorial Day to Labor Day. Every Thursday we will collect samples and reveal results on Friday in time for the weekend. In time, this program will evolve and expand to include many more sites on the River and also its tributaries. Volunteer opportunities will be coming soon. To easily access our data, download the SwimGuide App.. We also post weekly results every Friday on LSRA Facebook and Instagram.