Blue-green algae warning at Mill Pond, Roth Pond, Agawan Lake
Algae is visible in the water at the south end of Agawan Lake in Southampton Village on May 11, 2017. Suffolk County officials are urging people to avoid the water in the because of a blue-green algae bloom. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
Because of the confirmed presence of blue-green algae, residents are urged to steer clear of using the waters of Mill Pond in Watermill and Roth Pond on the Stony Brook University campus, Suffolk County health officials said Friday.
That means no swimming or wading in the water, and keeping children and pets away from those areas, officials said.
Similar precautions should also be taken at Agawan Lake in the Village of Southampton, where the blooms have also been confirmed.
Any water looking “scummy or discolored should be avoided,” health officials said. If contact does occur, rinse off with clean water and see a doctor for symptoms that can include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties, the health department said.
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, is naturally present in low numbers, but can increase, forming blooms of green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red, as well as floating scum, the county health department said in a release.
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'Why am I giving up my Friday night to listen to this?' A Newsday analysis shows the number of referees and umpires has declined 25.2% in Nassau and 18.1% in Suffolk since 2011-12. Officials and administrators say the main reason is spectator behavior. NewsdayTV's Carissa Kellman reports.
