Water Quality
Water Quality > Hudson River Estuary Data > Greene County & Columbia County Sites > Athens

Athens

Athens Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall
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Physical/Chemical Data

Physical, chemical and biological properties of the surface water that are measured continuously while the patrol boat is underway.

Entero Count (fecal indicator) and Rainfall

96 Samples taken

Sample Date [i] Enterococcus Count
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Entero Count

Enterococcus (“Entero”) is a fecal indicating bacterium that lives in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals. It is the EPA preferred indicator for sewage contamination.

Quality Rain, day of (in) Prior Day 2 Days Prior 3 Days Prior Rain 4 Days Total Rain
Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort
10/18/2023 48 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
09/20/2023 488 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.1 1.3
08/23/2023 55 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/19/2023 770 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.7 1.6
06/28/2023 59 Acceptable 0.0 0.2 1.2 0.4 1.8
05/03/2023 649 Beach Advisory 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.5 1.4
10/13/2022 70 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
09/13/2022 >2420 Beach Advisory 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
08/22/2022 29 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
07/18/2022 47 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
06/15/2022 60 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/25/2022 8 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.8
10/27/2021 >2420 Beach Advisory 0.0 1.0 0.9 0.0 1.9
09/15/2021 40 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.8
08/18/2021 55 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/21/2021 411 Beach Advisory 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.9 1.9
06/09/2021 12 Acceptable 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.6
05/20/2021 6 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10/17/2020 42 Acceptable 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.6
09/21/2020 27 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/17/2020 122 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/17/2020 52 Acceptable 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.5
06/19/2020 129 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/29/2020 8 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10/11/2019 85 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
09/13/2019 365 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/09/2019 86 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.8 0.1 0.4 1.3
07/12/2019 13 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
06/08/2019 12 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.5 1.1
05/11/2019 12 Acceptable 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2
10/13/2018 517 Beach Advisory 0.3 0.0 1.3 0.0 1.6
09/13/2018 189 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.9 1.1
08/17/2018 36 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/20/2018 39 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.4
06/16/2018 14 Acceptable 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.3
05/09/2018 15 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3
10/19/2017 5 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
09/14/2017 64 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/17/2017 22 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/13/2017 48 Acceptable 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3
06/15/2017 5 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/18/2017 5 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3
04/07/2017 276 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.9 1.4
10/17/2016 10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
09/17/2016 52 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/18/2016 57 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2
07/16/2016 27 Acceptable 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2
06/18/2016 54 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
05/23/2016 23 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10/15/2015 5 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
09/14/2015 16 Acceptable 0.0 0.9 1.2 0.1 2.3
08/15/2015 6 Acceptable 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.6
07/11/2015 23 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.0 1.2
06/13/2015 41 Acceptable 0.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 1.3
05/14/2015 9 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1
10/16/2014 12 Acceptable 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4
09/10/2014 36 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/14/2014 148 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
07/10/2014 57 Acceptable 0.0 1.7 0.4 0.3 2.3
06/15/2014 1300 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.1 1.0
05/15/2014 32 Acceptable 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
10/21/2013 13 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2
09/21/2013 19 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/19/2013 20 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/21/2013 51 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
06/24/2013 201 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
06/04/2013 37 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.1 1.1
10/15/2012 30 Acceptable 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.6
09/15/2012 6 Acceptable 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
08/18/2012 16 Acceptable 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.3
07/21/2012 38 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2
06/16/2012 24 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2
05/19/2012 66 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
10/16/2011 1553 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.1 1.1 0.3 1.6
09/19/2011 29 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
08/20/2011 19 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
07/14/2011 24 Acceptable 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3
07/02/2011 67 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.1 2.1
05/19/2011 119 Beach Advisory 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.5 1.7
10/16/2010 65 Beach Advisory 0.0 1.0 0.3 0.0 1.3
09/14/2010 27 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/21/2010 5 Acceptable 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2
07/19/2010 20 Acceptable 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.7
06/18/2010 76 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.3
05/25/2010 8 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10/23/2009 6 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
09/17/2009 98 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
08/24/2009 1733 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.3 1.0 1.5 2.8
07/31/2009 >2420 Beach Advisory 0.6 0.3 1.0 0.0 1.9
06/12/2009 87 Beach Advisory 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.5 1.1
05/15/2009 7 Acceptable 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5
10/23/2008 30 Acceptable 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2
09/17/2008 10 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3
08/09/2008 70 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.2 1.5
07/17/2008 16 Acceptable 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
06/18/2008 36 Acceptable 0.0 0.1 0.9 0.0 1.1

Entero Count (fecal indicator) and Rainfall Correlation

96 Samples taken

All Water Quality Parameters

96 Samples taken

Sample Date [i] Entero Count
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Entero Count

Enterococcus (“Entero”) is a fecal indicating bacterium that lives in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals. It is the EPA preferred indicator for sewage contamination.

Quality [i] Temp (f)
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Temperature

Hudson River water temperature changes seasonally. Surface water temperature can change on small scales in the river reflecting natural and human influences.

[i] Salinity
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Salinity

Estuaries like the Hudson are where freshwaters in rivers meet the sea. Salinity tells us about the relative contribution of fresh and salt water within a particular region of the estuary. 

[i] Chlorophyll
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Chlorophyll

A measure of the amount of microscopic algae present in the water. High chlorophyll counts can mean high levels of the nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen, and the threat, or presence, of algae blooms.

[i] Turbidity
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Turbidity

Turbidity is a measure of the amount of fine particles suspended in the water. As turbidity rises, light penetration, a key factor for aquatic plants and algae, diminishes.

[i] Oxygen
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Oxygen

Oxygen concentrations in the water are closely connected to biological activities. Surface waters are typically in equilibrium with the atmosphere such that the oxygen concentration near the surface is close to fully saturated (100%).

Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort
10/18/2023 48 Acceptable 14.75 0.08 1.97 25 108.9
09/20/2023 488 Beach Advisory 21.21 0.12 3.32 n/a n/a
08/23/2023 55 Acceptable 23.22 0.11 2.47 NS 97.7
07/19/2023 770 Beach Advisory 25.88 0.1 3.41 40.8 90.9
06/28/2023 59 Acceptable 75.3 0.1 12.6 14.5 97.7
05/03/2023 649 Beach Advisory 52.8 0.1 2.7 34.9 101.1
10/13/2022 70 Beach Advisory 59.7 0.1 5.1 11 90.3
09/13/2022 >2420 Beach Advisory 75.4 0.1 4 16.4 73.2
08/22/2022 29 Acceptable 79.4 0.1 7.5 2.6 91.8
07/18/2022 47 Acceptable 79.1 0.1 4.9 5.1 96.5
06/15/2022 60 Acceptable 74.9 0.2 12.1 22.9 n/a
05/25/2022 8 Acceptable 68.8 0.1 7 14.7 n/a
10/27/2021 >2420 Beach Advisory 55.22 0.12 3.19 54.8 96.8
09/15/2021 40 Acceptable 71.708 0.09 3.86 13.7 100.1
08/18/2021 55 Acceptable 78.35 0.1 13.66 12.3 93.7
07/21/2021 411 Beach Advisory 73.22 0.09 6.19 31.7 94.9
06/09/2021 12 Acceptable 72.986 0.14 4.51 13.5 128.6
05/20/2021 6 Acceptable 64.004 0.12 13.94 12.1 117.6
10/17/2020 42 Acceptable 59.972 0.14 3.59 10 95.2
09/21/2020 27 Acceptable 66.074 0.15 4.45 11 90.3
08/17/2020 122 Beach Advisory 79.376 0.15 3.42 6.1 92.3
07/17/2020 52 Acceptable 79.448 0.15 2.51 5.6 96.5
06/19/2020 129 Beach Advisory 76.028 0.14 4.74 8.7 101.5
05/29/2020 8 Acceptable 69.8 0.11 10.17 7.4 120.5
10/11/2019 85 Beach Advisory 60.584 0.13 19.28 10 96.4
09/13/2019 365 Beach Advisory 70.376 0.14 5.84 9 105
08/09/2019 86 Beach Advisory 79.79 0.14 5.98 7.2 103.8
07/12/2019 13 Acceptable 80.06 0.09 11.32 7.4 96.6
06/08/2019 12 Acceptable 66.902 0.09 4.32 9.1 98.5
05/11/2019 12 Acceptable 55.292 0.08 2.83 10.1 96.5
10/13/2018 517 Beach Advisory 61.394 0.12 6.18 16.7 92.7
09/13/2018 189 Beach Advisory 73.022 0.14 6.67 11.4 81.9
08/17/2018 36 Acceptable 78.782 0.14 18.74 16.7 92.8
07/20/2018 39 Acceptable 80.294 0.15 3.87 9.1 90.7
06/16/2018 14 Acceptable 70.34 0.13 3.09 14.4 91.4
05/09/2018 15 Acceptable 58.1 0.08 2.88 10 101.4
10/19/2017 5 Acceptable 62.672 0.13 8.16 11.8 95.4
09/14/2017 64 Beach Advisory 69.278 0.12 12.27 10.1 115
08/17/2017 22 Acceptable 75.794 0.12 9.76 15.6 96.8
07/13/2017 48 Acceptable 75.488 0.08 1.52 32 87.8
06/15/2017 5 Acceptable 69.962 0.09 3.63 8.3 97.5
05/18/2017 5 Acceptable 60.314 0.08 2.11 17.4 105.9
04/07/2017 276 Beach Advisory 41.684 0.08 0.35 178.6 103.7
10/17/2016 10 Acceptable 61.79 0.12 9.61 40.1 100.6
09/17/2016 52 Acceptable 73.292 0.11 0.23 n/a 85.5
08/18/2016 57 Acceptable 80.6 0.12 4.96 34.5 84.2
07/16/2016 27 Acceptable 79.682 0.12 5.67 10.1 91.6
06/18/2016 54 Acceptable 72.05 0.12 5.18 26.3 95.1
05/23/2016 23 Acceptable 62.006 0.11 26.62 31.4 113.6
10/15/2015 5 Acceptable 59.594 0.14 17.4 46.2 95
09/14/2015 16 Acceptable 75.866 0.14 1.73 22.5 81.1
08/15/2015 6 Acceptable 77.918 0.13 5.01 21.8 90
07/11/2015 23 Acceptable 73.616 0.09 13.55 23.1 93.7
06/13/2015 41 Acceptable 71.618 0.11 26.25 21.6 111.5
05/14/2015 9 Acceptable 67.19 0.11 10.95 29.4 n/a
10/16/2014 12 Acceptable 64.148 0.14 3.91 10.5 101.6
09/10/2014 36 Acceptable 75.61 0.11 2.37 26.3 113.5
08/14/2014 148 Beach Advisory 75.794 0.13 3.6 28.5 96.6
07/10/2014 57 Acceptable 77.81 0.11 3.92 24.7 98.5
06/15/2014 1300 Beach Advisory 69.692 0.13 0.12 64.3 100.1
05/15/2014 32 Acceptable 61.628 0.09 4.53 16.9 97.8
10/21/2013 13 Acceptable 59.882 0.13 11.68 101.3 101.8
09/21/2013 19 Acceptable 69.386 0.13 7.89 36.3 100.3
08/19/2013 20 Acceptable 74.858 0.13 3.37 156.3 93.3
07/21/2013 51 Acceptable 83.39 0.1 1.13 23.7 91.6
06/24/2013 201 Beach Advisory 71.348 0.11 1.47 36.9 97.3
06/04/2013 37 Acceptable 69.17 0.09 1.17 12.7 93.1
10/15/2012 30 Acceptable 58.712 0.12 4.32 18.7 96
09/15/2012 6 Acceptable 73.778 0.13 2.88 23 97
08/18/2012 16 Acceptable 79.7 0.17 2.02 9.1 98
07/21/2012 38 Acceptable 81.572 0.18 2.83 23.7 92.5
06/16/2012 24 Acceptable 73.04 0.12 1.87 20.7 97.1
05/19/2012 66 Beach Advisory 65.264 0.1 1.24 74.8 99.2
10/16/2011 1553 Beach Advisory 61.376 0.12 0.58 75 93.9
09/19/2011 29 Acceptable 66.596 0.11 0.87 68.3 93.2
08/20/2011 19 Acceptable 78.152 0.13 14.89 58.5 124
07/14/2011 24 Acceptable 78.89 0.09 8.81 124.8 n/a
07/02/2011 67 Beach Advisory 72.554 0.08 0.8 37.6 n/a
05/19/2011 119 Beach Advisory n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
10/16/2010 65 Beach Advisory 55.598 0.09 1.87 17 94.2
09/14/2010 27 Acceptable 71.762 0.09 17.08 n/a 92.2
08/21/2010 5 Acceptable 78.08 0.13 3.75 n/a 90.1
07/19/2010 20 Acceptable 83.048 0.11 6.32 16.7 95.5
06/18/2010 76 Beach Advisory 71.312 0.13 49.24 72.3 115.2
05/25/2010 8 Acceptable 67.892 0.13 16.5 565 127.2
10/23/2009 6 Acceptable 50.846 0.1 1.21 36 90.7
09/17/2009 98 Beach Advisory 68.9 0.11 22.24 53.1 112
08/24/2009 1733 Beach Advisory 78.998 0.11 14.16 78.7 101.1
07/31/2009 >2420 Beach Advisory 74.426 0.11 5.08 76.9 91.1
06/12/2009 87 Beach Advisory n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
05/15/2009 7 Acceptable 62.294 n/a 2.75 19.3 99.4
10/23/2008 30 Acceptable 53.888 0.13 18.74 18.6 98.3
09/17/2008 10 Acceptable n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
08/09/2008 70 Beach Advisory n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
07/17/2008 16 Acceptable 82.3 0.12 2.1 16.8 122.2
06/18/2008 36 Acceptable n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Water Quality*

Acceptable (0–60) Beach Advisory (61+)

*Single sample thresholds;
Enterococcus count per 100mL

Prior Four Day Rainfall
(in inches)

Dry Weather (0–0.25) Wet Weather (0.25+)

Enterococcus is an EPA-approved fecal contamination indicator.

Samples taken by Riverkeeper, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and CUNY Queens College staff, and processed on the Riverkeeper vessel, according to the 2014 Quality Assurance Project Plan.

Rainfall data comes from wunderground.com. Wet weather is a common trigger of fecal contamination.

What do the Numbers Mean?

Water Quality scoring is based on the 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for safe swimming. Learn More

About this location:

Athens, NY
The Athens Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall is in close proximity to the village waterfront, which has recreational boating from small marinas, kayaking, and fishing.

Agencies Responsible:

Greene County Dept. of Health: 518-719-3600 and NYSDEC Region 4: 518-357-2045

Tell Gov. Hochul to block invasive species at the Erie and Champlain canals
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