New Blue-Green Algae Found In Locations Across East End

EAST END, NY — New cyanobacteria blooms have been found in locations across the East End, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

The cyanobacteria blooms have been found in Mattituck, Sag Harbor, Sagaponack, Water Mill and Southampton, the SCDHS said.

Analysis of surface water samples performed by SUNY Stony Brook has confirmed the presence of new cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known as blue-green algae, in Wolf Pit Lake in Mattituck; Long Pond in Sag Harbor; Poxabogue Pond in Sagaponack; Mill Pond in Water Mill and Agawam Lake in Southampton, officials said.

Due to the findings, health officials have asked residents not to use or recreate in those waters and to keep their children and pets away from the area.

Though blue-green algae are naturally present in lakes and streams in low numbers, they can become abundant, forming blooms in shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red, health officials said. They may produce floating scums on the surface of the water or may cause the water to take on paint-like appearance.

Contact with waters that appear scummy or discolored should be avoided, officials said. If contact does occur, rinse off with clean water immediately. Seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur after contact: nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; skin, eye or throat irritation; or allergic reactions or breathing difficulties, the SCDHS said.

To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom at a body of water that contains a Suffolk County permitted bathing beach, contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by email at any time at scdhsweb@suffolkcountyny.gov.

To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom at a body of water that does not contain a Suffolk County permitted bathing beach, email the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation NYSDEC at habsinfo@dec.ny.gov.