New Blue-Green Algae Found In Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — New cyanobacteria blooms have been found in Kellis Pond in Southampton, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services said.

Sampling performed by SUNY Stony Brook confirmed the presence of the blue–green algae, health officials said.

Due to the findings, health officials ask residents not to use or swim or wade in the water 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; they may produce floating scums on the surface of the water or may cause the water to take on paint-like appearance, the county said.

Contact with waters that appear scummy or discolored should be avoided. If contact does occur, rinse off with clean water immediately, the county 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.

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. and 4:30 p.m. or email scdhsweb@suffolkcountyny.gov.

To view a map all affected fresh waterbodies in New York State, or to report a suspected blue-green algae bloom to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation about a body of water that does not contain a Suffolk County permitted bathing beach, go to NYHABS.

Questions regarding blue-green should be emailed to habsinfo@dec.ny.gov.

For additional information about blue-green algae, as well as other harmful algal blooms, visit the Suffolk County Harmful Algal Blooms webpage or visit the DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms page here.