According to Commissioner of Health James Tomarken, MD, MPH, bathing in bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose and throat.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed cyanobacteria blooms in Lake Maratooka in Mattituck, Lake Agawam in Southampton and Big Reed Pond in Montauk. Due to the finding of high levels of toxic cyanobacteria, more commonly known as blue–green algae, 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.