New Cyanobacteria Bloom Found At 2 New LI Locations

SOUTHOLD, NY — A new cyanobacteria bloom, more commonly known as blue-green algae, was found in Laurel Lake in Southold Town, officials said Wednesday.

According to the Suffolk County Department of Health, a new bloom was also found in Lake Ronkonkoma, and blooms still exist in Agawam Lake in Southampton, Maratooka Pond in Mattituck, Mill Pond in Water Mill, and Roth Pond at Stony Brook University.

Due to these findings, health officials are asking residents not to use, swim or wade in the affected waters and to keep their pets and children 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, officials said.

Contact with waters that appear scummy or discolored should be avoided. If contact does occur, rinse off with clean water immediately, the Suffolk County Department of Health said. Individuals should 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 that is in a body of water that does not contain a Suffolk County permitted bathing beach, contact the Division of Water at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 518-402-8179 between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. or via email at habsinfo@dec.ny.gov

To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom at a body of water that does contain 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 scdhsweb@suffolkcountyny.gov

For a comprehensive list of affected waterbodies in New York State, visit the DEC’s harmful algal bloom notification page here.

For more information about blue-green algae, visit the Suffolk County website here.

Patch file photo.