New Cyanobacteria Blooms in Sagaponack, Southampton, and Stony Brook

LongIsland.com

Recent sampling performed by SUNY Stony Brook has confirmed new cyanobacteria blooms in Sagaponack Pond, Kellis Pond and Stony Brook Duck Pond.

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Due to these findings, health officials ask residents not to use or swim or wade in these waters and to keep their pets and children away from the area.

Photo by: Michael & Christa Richert, via Free Images.

Sagaponack / Southampton / Stony Brook, NY - July 22, 2016 - Recent sampling performed by SUNY Stony Brook has confirmed new cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known as blue–green algae, in Sagaponack Pond in Sagaponack, Kellis Pond in Southampton and Stony Brook Duck Pond in Stony Brook.

Currently, cyanobacteria blooms exist at the following Suffolk County locations:
  • Forge Pond/Peconic Lake - Calverton
  • Old Town Pond - Southampton
  • Setauket Mill Pond- Setauket
  • Wainscott Pond - Wainscott
  • Georgica Pond - East Hampton
  • Mill Pond - Watermill
  • Maratooka Pond, Mattituck
  • Agawam Lake, Southampton
  • Sagaponack Pond, Sagaponack
  • Kellis Pond, Southampton
  • Stony Brook Duck Pond, Stony Brook
Due to these findings, health officials ask residents not to use or swim or wade in these waters and to keep their pets and children away from the area. 
Though blue-green algae are naturally present in lakes and streams in low numbers, they can become abundant, forming blooms mostly typically in shades of green but also in shades of blue-green, yellow, brown or red. They may produce floating scums on the surface of the water or may cause the water to take on paint-like appearance.  
Contact with waters that appear scummy or discolored should be avoided. If contact does occur, rinse off with clean water immediately.  Seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur after contact: nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; skin, eye or throat irritation; or allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.
To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom that is in a body of water that does not contain a Suffolk County permitted bathing beach, contact the Division of Water at New York State DEC: 518-402-8179 between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. or anytime via email
To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom at a body of water that does contain a Suffolk County-permitted bathing beach, contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or by email.
For a comprehensive list of affected waterbodies in New York State, visit the DEC’s Harmful Algal Bloom Notification Page here
For more information about blue-green algae, visit the Suffolk County website