Sampling performed by SUNY Stony Brook has
confirmed cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known as blue–green algae, in Roth
Pond in Stony Brook, NY. 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.
Currently, cyanobacteria blooms exist at the
following Suffolk County locations:
|
Agawam
Lake
|
Southampton
|
|
Georgica
Pond
|
East
Hampton
|
|
Kellis
Pond
|
Southampton
|
|
Marratooka
Lake
|
Mattituck
|
|
Mill
Pond (Watermill)
|
Watermill
|
|
Old
Town Pond
|
Southampton
|
|
Roth
Pond
|
Stony
Brook
|
|
Sagaponack
Lake
|
Sagaponack
|
|
Stony
Brook Duck Pond
|
Stony
Brook
|
|
Wainscott
Pond
|
Wainscott
|
Though blue-green algae are naturally
present in lakes and streams in low numbers, they can become abundant, forming
blooms in shades of green, 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
at a body of water that contains a Suffolk County-permitted bathing beach,
contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Ecology at
631-852-5760 between 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m or by email at any time at scdhsweb@suffolokcountyny.gov.
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 Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC):
518-402-8179, between 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m or by email at any time at habsinfo@dec.ny.gov.
For a comprehensive list of affected waterbodies, visit the DEC’s
Harmful Algal Bloom Notification Page at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/83310.html
For more information about blue-green algae,
visit the Suffolk County website: http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices/EnvironmentalQuality/Ecology/MarineWaterQualityMonitoring/HarmfulAlgalBlooms/Cyanobacteria.aspx
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