Clean water is important to oysters… and humans!

Billion Oyster Project is committed to providing access and transparency to water quality data that inform boaters, swimmers, and kayakers when and where it’s safe to explore and enjoy our local waterways.

The Community Water Quality Testing (CWQT) program, managed by Billion Oyster Project, engages community scientists in weekly testing of New York Harbor water for bacteria that can be harmful to humans. 

Read our weekly blog featuring 2023 results!

This program — initially organized by Nancy Brous and Rob Buchanan via the New York City Water Trail Association — aims to increase equitable access to our local waterfront by consistently reporting on the health of New York Harbor and advocating for a change to New York City’s antiquated combined sewer system. 

For the past 10 years, volunteers have collected samples from the waters in and around New York Harbor every Thursday from the middle of May to through early fall.

Weekly testing focuses on sewage pollution, which directly affects human health. The program started in 2012 with 22 sample sites, and has grown to more than 75 sites (as of fall 2021).

With additional funding, we hope to expand the CWQT Program by:

• Doubling our testing capacity to 150 sites throughout the public access season.

• Inviting more volunteers to get involved by setting up additional water quality testing labs in Jamaica Bay and Staten Island, in addition to Billion Oyster Project’s existing lab in Williamsburg — and hiring dedicated staff.
  

• Hosting a more robust dataset that could lead to the development of a predictive modeling system and heightened visualization of our Harbor’s health. 

Partner Labs

Billion Oyster Project operates the CWQT Program alongside the following partners:

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