Sampling performed by SUNY Stony
Brook has confirmed the presence of new cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known
as blue–green algae, at Maratooka Pond in Mattituck, and at Georgica Pond in East Hampton.
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 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 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
at habsinfo@dec.ny.gov
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 at any time at scdhsweb@suffolkcountyny.gov
For a comprehensive list of
affected waterbodies in New York State, 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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