Shellfishing still suspended in Port Jefferson Harbor due to release of partially-treated sewage

Shellfish harvesting in and around Port Jefferson Harbor remains suspended due to Monday’s discharge of partially-treated sewage into the waters, but health officials are lifting their ban on recreation at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The temporary closure for shellfish harvesting also includes the tributaries of Setauket Harbor, the Narrows, and Conscience Bay, covering about 1,639 acres in total, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

About 30,000 gallons of partially treated sewage was discharged into the waters of Port Jefferson Harbor early Monday morning over a period of two hours due to a malfunction in a piece of equipment at the sewage treatment plant, officials said.

An electrical component in the plant's UV disinfection system failed but the DEC said in a statement it had been repaired and systems tested before "confirming a safe return to routine operations."

On Monday, the Suffolk County Health Department advised people, especially children and pets, to avoid the water which may have been contaminated with elevated levels of bacteria, viruses and other pathogenic organisms.

People who come in contact with water containing sewage that is not fully treated can become ill with gastroenteritis and develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, skin, eye or throat irritation.

The emergency closure of shellfishing areas will remain in effect until the conditions change that currently make the shellfish hazardous for use as food, the DEC said.

The agency is providing updates on the closure on a recorded message that people can hear by calling (631) 444-0480 or call the DEC’s Office of Marine Resources during normal business hours at (631) 444-0492.

By Lisa L. Colangelo

lisa.colangelo@newsday.com@lisalcolangelo

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.