Fecal Indicator Bacteria At The Beach: 2023 Season's 6th Water Report

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — There's no longer any need to guess which Long Island Sound beaches have the cleanest water. Save the Sound has released the sixth of its weekly water quality reports for the 2023 swimming season.

Save the Sound announced that their seasonal water quality monitoring program started up again this year and the samples are being analyzed by their team in the John and Daria Barry Foundation Water Quality Lab in their Larchmont office. The team collected samples from 62 sites in Westchester County, Greenwich and Queens and brought them back to the lab to test for fecal indicator bacteria.

You can read more about the fecal bacteria water monitoring here.

The fecal indicator bacteria concentration in water at a beach determines whether or not the water is safe for people to swim in. High fecal bacteria counts and associated pathogens in the water can make people ill and can be associated with untreated sewage or increased amounts of polluted stormwater.

2023 Westchester County WQM Results Week 2: 7/17 - 7/20:

• Glover Field, Mount Vernon: 10X Fail
• Outfall at Farrell and Beechwood, Mount Vernon: 10X Fail
• Upstream of Farrell and Beechwood, Mount Vernon: 10X Fail
• Pelham Lake at Wilson Wood Park, Mount Vernon: Fail
• Shore Park, Pelham Manor: Pass
• Glen Island Park, New Rochelle: Pass
• Glen Island Approach, New Rochelle: Pass
• Neptune Boat Club, New Rochelle: Pass
• Five Islands Approach at Le Fevres Ln., New Rochelle: Pass
• Five Islands Park on Beach, New Rochelle: Pass
• Premium River at Pryer Manor Rd., New Rochelle: 10X Fail
• Larchmont Harbor at Park Ave., Larchmont: Fail
• Flint Park, Larchmont: 10X Fail
• Sheldrake Lake, New Rochelle: Pass
• Sheldrake River at Bonnie Briar Lane, Mamaroneck: Fail
• Beach Point Club, Mamaroneck Village: Pass
• Harbor Island Beach, Mamaroneck: Fail
• Shore Acres Yacht Club, Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Mamaroneck Harbor East Basin, Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Mamaroneck River at Phillips Park Rd., Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Sheldrake River at Columbus Park, Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Mamaroneck River at Station Park Rd., Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Mamaroneck River at North Barry Ave. Ext., Mamaroneck Village: 10X Fail
• Mamaroneck Harbor at Taylor Ln, Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Otter Creek at S. Barry Ave. Bridge, Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Guion Creek at South Barry Ave. Bridge, Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Van Amringe Milpond, Mamaroneck Village: Pass
• Beaver Swamp Brook at Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Beaver Swamp Brook at Rye Neck HS, Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Tributary to Beaver Swap Brook, Mamaroneck: Fail
• Mamaroneck River at Joint Water Works, Mamaroneck Village: Fail
• Mamaroneck River at Saxon Woods Park, Mamaroneck: Fail
• Mamaroneck River at Reynal Rd., White Plains: Fail
• Mamaroneck River at Saxon Woods Rd., White Plains: Fail
• Beaver Swamp Brook at Truxton St., Harrison: Fail
• Beaver Swamp Brook at Greenwood Union Cemetery, Harrison: Pass
• Rye Marshlands Conservancy, Rye: Pass
• Rye Playland Park, Rye: Fail
• Blind Brook at Disbrow Park, Rye: 10X Fail
• Blind Brook at Purchase St., Rye: Fail
• Blind Brook at N. Ridge St. and Ridge Blvd, Rye: Fail
• Playland Lake at Edith Read Natural Park, Rye: 10X Fail
• Blind Brook, Rye Nature Center, Rye: Fail
• Byram River at Columbus Park, Port Chester: Fail

Additional information for each of these sites can be found here.

Save the Sound said that everyone can help reduce sewage pollution sources by conserving water which will lessen the wear-and-tear on the water infrastructure and reduce sewage overflows by lowering the volume of water in the system. The organization also recommends that homeowners repair sewer lines that connect their homes to municipal sewers or maintain their septic systems. Dog owners should put pet waste in the trash and never in a catch basin or on the street. Communities and homeowners can create rain gardens to help reduce runoff. If you see sewage overflowing in your community, you can email a photo or video with details about the time and location to this address.