A new cyanobacteria bloom was found this week in Mecox Bay in Water Mill, according to a release Friday from the Suffolk County Health Department.
The finding, reported by Stony Brook University scientists, prompted the Suffolk County Health Department to issue a warning, asking people not to swim in the contaminated water, according to the release.
Cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae, are normally found in small numbers in lakes and ponds but can be dangerous to humans if they start to grow and form blooms. The algae are usually a shade of green, though they can also be blue-green, yellow, brown or red, explained the release. The algae may produce floating scum on the surface of the water, or may cause the water to take on “paint-like appearance,” the release notes.
The algae was also found this week in the Niger Pond in Calverton and the Peconic River in Riverhead.
To report a suspected algae-bloom in one of the county's bodies of water, individuals are urged to contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or anytime via email at scdhsweb@suffolkcountyny.gov.
Amanda Bernocco on Aug 19, 2016