City Continues Crescent Beach Cleanup Efforts

The City of Glen Cove has decided to pay to pump out two dozen home owners' septic systems in an attempt to clear the water at Crescent Beach of bacteria.

In an interview, Mayor Ralph Suozzi said the city has sent letters to the homeowners whose properties aline the creek running parallel to the end of Crescent Beach Road. Suozzi said the city is willing to pay for the pump-outs in an effort to get Crescent Beach open.

"We're working from the epicenter out. Once we're done with this, we'll look at the next logical step," Suozzi said.

State environmental experts say high levels of bacteria are responsible for unhealthy water conditions off Crescent Beach.

Experts say bacteria is the result of poorly maintained septic systems, a problem not unique to Glen Cove, but an .

Suozzi said higher levels of bacteria have been found in the creek where the homes are located. Levels at Crescent Beach are actually lower than those in the creek.

More than half of the homeowners have responded to the city's offer of assistance.

Crescent Beach has been closed for as a result of the high bacteria levels in the water.