Port Jefferson Harbor contaminated with partially treated sewage, residents urged to 'avoid contact' until Wednesday
The Grand Republic comes into the Port Jefferson Harbor in January. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
People should "avoid contact" with the waters from Port Jefferson Harbor until Wednesday morning due to a recent discharge of partially treated sewage, Suffolk County health officials said Monday.
"There is a potential for elevated levels of pathogenic organisms to be present in this area," according to the advisory.
Early Monday, the Port Jefferson Sewage Treatment Plant discharged about 30,000 gallons of sewage that "underwent complete treatment, except for partial disinfection," according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
State officials temporarily closed shellfish harvesting in Port Jefferson Harbor following a sewage spill. Credit: New York Department of Environmental Conservation
The problem was caused by a partial malfunction of the UV disinfection system when an electrical component failed, officials said, and "corrective actions to mitigate the discharge have been completed."
The DEC has also temporarily closed shellfish harvesting in the harbor and its tributaries because it might be "hazardous for use as food."
Coming in contact with sewage that is not fully treated could cause illness and symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, skin, eye or throat irritation, as well as allergic reactions or breathing difficulties, according to the county health department.
"The air is still cool and the water cold, so we don’t expect many people to be recreating in the harbor," Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said. "But out of an abundance of caution, we are warning those who may choose to fish, canoe or recreate at the water’s edge to take steps to protect themselves and their families from potential pathogens."
Children and pets should stay away from areas close to water. Anyone who comes in contact with water from the harbor area is advised to rinse immediately with clean water.
The health department advisory is in place until 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.
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