Health & Fitness
Cyanobacteria Blooms Found In Huntington Bay's Willow Pond
Residents were asked by Suffolk health officials to not use the pond, as high levels of blue-green algae were found in it.
HUNTINGTON BAY, NY — New cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known as blue–green algae, were found in Willow Pond in Huntington Bay, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services said Tuesday. Stony Brook University analyzed surface water samples, confirming the algae's presence.
Residents are asked not to use, swim or wade in these waters and to keep their children and pets away from the area, due to the findings.
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. They may produce floating scums on the surface of the water or may cause the water to take on a paint-like appearance, health officials said.
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Contact with scummy or discolored waters should be avoided. If you do touch it, rinse off with clean water immediately, officials said. 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.
An overflow box, associated with Willow Pond, is located near the shoreline roughly 200 feet west of Vineyard Road in Huntington Bay. At times, pond water may flow from this box onto the shoreline. Health officials ask residents to keep their children and pets away from this area as well. Suffolk County Department of Health ecologists will continue to monitor the situation and will post warning signs in the area.
Find out what's happening in Huntingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
To see a map of all affected fresh water bodies in New York State, or to report a suspected blue-green algae bloom to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) at a body of water that does not contain a Suffolk County permitted bathing beach, use: NYHABS.
Any questions should be emailed to habsinfo@dec.ny.gov.
To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom at a body of water located at 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. and 4:30 p.m., or email scdhsweb@suffolkcountyny.gov any time.
Check the Suffolk County Department of Health Services website for more information on harmful algal blooms.
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