Fort Pond and Big Reed Pond in Montauk were free of harmful blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, blooms when Concerned Citizens of Montauk took water samples earlier this week, but a number of testing sites in Montauk, Amagansett, Springs, and East Hampton showed elevated levels of enterococcus bacteria, even before Wednesday's heavy rains.
With those rains in mind, the group has recommended caution when swimming or wading in water bodies that have been problematic this summer.
Elevated enterococcus levels are an indication of fecal contamination from humans or other mammals. High levels were recorded at East Creek and West Creek at Lake Montauk, Pussy’s Pond in Springs, and, in East Hampton, at the Methodist Lane swale, the duck pond on David's Lane, Hook Pond at Dunemere Lane, and at the Cove Hollow Road access and Route 27 kayak launch on Georgica Pond and the pond’s beach side.
The Methodist Lane swale had the highest bacteria levels of the 29 sites tested, with the next highest recorded at the duck pond and Pussy’s Pond.
Medium bacteria levels were recorded at Stepping Stones and the Little Reed Pond creek at Lake Montauk, the Shipyard Lane boat ramp on Accabonac Harbor, and Folkstone Drive and Head of the Harbor on Three Mile Harbor.
C.C.O.M. tests water bodies weekly at this time of year, processing samples at its office in Montauk and then sharing the results on the Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force online portal. Its next sampling will be after Labor Day.