Letters

Southampton Village has begun environmental review in order to inject Bacillus bacteria into Old Town Pond [“Southampton Village Board Approves Environmental Review of Old Town Pond Bioaugmentation Plan,” 27east.com, May 13]. What is Bacillus, and why?

Bacillus is a type of organic bacteria used in water and sewage treatment. The goal is for the bacteria to consume nutrients — like nitrogen and phosphorus — that feed algae. The sales representative said the bacteria will “feast on the muck” at the bottom of the lake.

Key concerns: The bacteria also consume oxygen, which can create hypoxia, dangerously low oxygen levels in the water, and can lead to fish kills.

The bacteria can alter the entire lake ecosystem.

The treatment does not address core nutrient sources, such as septic systems, fertilizer and pesticide runoff, and stormwater discharge.

Treatment is short-term and not part of the village’s water quality management plan or priority projects.

Leading scientists and engineers expressed doubt it could work.

Similar bacteria can be purchased online from Amazon.com.

Costs and long-term impact: The sales representative described the treatment as a “drip” and estimated a cost of $370,000 over two years.

According to the vendor, the bacteria will persist even if the treatment stops.

Treated water will be discharged into the ocean via a drainpipe near the beach. On August 20, 2024, Southampton Village discharged Old Town Pond water during peak toxic algae bloom season into the ocean.

This decision reflects a pattern of decisions that seems to defy prudent long-term planning. They represent a shift in how major projects are being pushed forward, often with limited public input.

What are long-term alternatives? The village already has a grant-funded design for a constructed wetlands at Old Town Pond. Constructed wetlands naturally filter pollutants while also providing lasting ecological benefits. These include long-term nitrogen and phosphorus reduction; habitat for birds, butterflies, pollinators and native plants; and resilience against future algae blooms, without recurring costs.

The project was canceled last year, despite already having received a $136,500 Community Preservation Fund grant.

The village must do more to address antiquated septic systems, lawn fertilizers, stormwater runoff and pesticides.

Some members of the village’s Environmental Committee have also raised concerns that the bacteria may interfere with bioswales and beneficial plant systems, possibly consuming nutrients those systems depend on.

Additionally, neighbors on Old Town Pond were not consulted prior to the announcement of the current bacteria treatment plan.

Carol Scott

Sag Harbor