Health officials are asking that people stay out of some water bodies on the South Fork where cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known as blue-green algae, have recently been confirmed.
According to a press release from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Old Town Pond in Southampton Village, Kellis Pond in Bridgehampton and Wainscott Pond in Wainscott all contain blue-green algae, which occurs when cyanobacteria become abundant. Cyanobacteria are naturally present in lakes, ponds and streams in low numbers, but can be harmful to humans and animals when the numbers increase.
Cyanobacteria was confirmed to be in Lake Agawam, also in Southampton Village, in May. Officials have also advised people to especially avoid direct exposure to water there, as the levels of that bacteria and associated toxins have become very high.
People have been advised not to swim or wade in these water bodies, and to keep pets and children away from them as well. In 2012, a dog died from liver failure after ingesting water from Georgica Pond in East Hampton that contained high levels of a toxic cyanobacteria known as microcystin.
To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom at a Suffolk County beach, contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Office of Ecology at (631) 852-5760.
To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom anywhere else, contact the Division of Water at the State Department of Environmental Conservation at (518) 402-8179.
For more information about blue-green algae, visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov.
Alyssa Melillo on Jul 17, 2015