PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 15, 2026
CONTACT:
Anna Luke
Director of Marketing and Communications
aluke@thejamesriver.org
James River Met Recreational Water-Quality Standards 87% of the Time During 2026 Monitoring Season
Nearly 87% of samples met recreational water-quality standards during the 2026 monitoring season, the highest rate since 2019
RICHMOND, Va. — Water-quality monitoring conducted through the James River Association’s James River Watch program found that monitored sites met Virginia’s recreational bacteria standards 86.9% of the time during the 2026 season. This was the program’s second-highest passing rate on record, the highest since 2019 and an improvement from 76% in 2025.
The 2026 results also exceeded the program’s 14-year average passing rate of 83%.
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, a record 116 trained volunteers collected 528 water samples from 36 monitoring locations spanning the watershed, from the Allegheny Highlands to the Chesapeake Bay. Samples were collected each Thursday, analyzed for bacteria and posted to the James River Watch map before the weekend, when recreational use is typically highest.
“This season’s results are encouraging and demonstrate how far the James River has come, but they also reinforce why current, location-specific information matters,” said Michael Gillert, GIS and Water Quality Program Manager. “Conditions can change quickly—particularly after heavy rain—and James River Watch gives people the information they need to know before they go swimming, paddling or fishing.”
The strong watershed-wide passing rate was likely aided by fewer heavy rainfall events and storms during the summer. Rain can carry bacteria and other pollutants from streets, lawns and surrounding land into waterways, while also overwhelming aging wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Results varied across the watershed:
- Lynchburg: Riveredge Park met recreational bacteria standards for 100% of the samples collected.
- Charlottesville and Scottsville: Six monitoring sites recorded a combined passing rate of 95%. Three of these sites are monitored by the Rivanna Conservation Alliance.
- Richmond: Eight sites, extending from Huguenot Flatwater to Rocketts Landing, recorded a combined passing rate of 90%.
- Williamsburg: Five area sites recorded a combined passing rate of 61%, driven largely by persistent bacteria concerns at Powhatan Creek and College Landing. The other three Williamsburg-area sites had a combined passing rate of 94%.
- Newport News and Hampton: Four sites monitored by the Peninsula Master Naturalists recorded a combined passing rate of 88%.
The results at Powhatan Creek and College Landing had a significant effect on the 2026 program year’s watershed-wide average. If those two sites were excluded from the calculation, the remaining 34 monitoring locations would have recorded a combined passing rate of 91%.
Some samples collected at the two sites contained exceptionally high bacteria concentrations, particularly on the first week of sampling on May 21. At College Landing, the bacteria level exceeded what JRA’s testing method could measure. Hampton Roads Sanitation District has confirmed that bacteria detected at one of the sites came from a human source, although the specific source has not yet been identified. The investigation is ongoing.
JRA hopes to develop new partnerships in the area that will allow more comprehensive monitoring of these sites to gain a better understanding of the situation and possible sources.
“The James River Watch monitoring results from these two sites are alarming, and warrant continued attention,” said Tom Dunlap, James RIVERKEEPER. “Across the watershed, the monitoring results are positive, but these high bacteria levels at Powhatan Creek and College Landing really show why sustained monitoring and investigation are essential. Our plan is to continue working with HRSD and other partners to better understand what is happening and find solutions that keep our river clean.”
Richmond’s Chapel Island monitoring site, meanwhile, met recreational bacteria standards for 69% of weekly samples—a notable improvement from 29% in 2025. The City of Richmond investigated the site after James River Watch monitoring identified consistently elevated bacteria levels and took action to address an infrastructure issue affecting water quality.
“Chapel Island shows the value of sustained community monitoring,” said Dunlap. “The data does more than help people make decisions about recreation—it can help identify persistent problems, prompt investigation and lead to real, meaningful improvements.”
James River Watch volunteers are trained to collect water samples and record additional information, including air and water temperature, conductivity, salinity and turbidity. Samples are analyzed using methods appropriate to each region of the watershed to determine whether bacteria levels exceed recreational thresholds established by the Virginia Department of Health.
The program is supported by Virginia State University, Peninsula Master Naturalists, Rivanna Conservation Alliance, Rockbridge Area Conservation, Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance, American Water, Twin River Outfitters and Appomattox River Company. James River Watch is also made possible in part through funding from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Grant Program.
Although weekly James River Watch sampling has concluded for the season, river conditions can change throughout the year. Before entering any natural waterway, recreationists should consider recent rainfall, avoid water that appears discolored or has an unusual odor, cover open wounds and follow any posted public-health advisories.
To learn more and subscribe to receive James River Watch results via email during the 2027 summer season, visit jamesriverwatch.org.
ABOUT THE JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION:
James River Association (JRA) is a member-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1976 that serves the waterways and communities of the James River. Throughout the James River’s 10,000 square mile watershed, JRA works toward its vision of a fully healthy James River supporting thriving communities. JRA believes that “when you change the James, the James changes you.” With offices in Lynchburg, Richmond, Williamsburg, and Scottsville, JRA is committed to protecting the James River and connecting people to it. For more information visit www.thejamesriver.org.