In a positive turn of events, the Concerned Citizens of Montauk’s weekly water testing earlier this week revealed lower levels of bacteria across the numerous testing sites in the Montauk, Amagansett, Springs, and East Hampton areas. Unfortunately, enterococcus bacteria levels in Montauk’s Fort Pond remain high.
Enterococcus levels are considered high when they surpass the threshold of 104 CFU. This past week, C.C.O.M. reported four testing sites with high levels of enterococcus, down from last week’s 10 sites. In addition to the two sites at Fort Pond, Fresh Pond’s Creek and Northwest Creek’s culvert showed high levels of enterococcus.
C.C.O.M. warns individuals to avoid any direct contact with water that contains high levels of bacteria. Skin contact or ingestion increases the risk of gastrointestinal illness and infection. The bacteria is not only a risk to humans, but to pets and livestock as well.
C.C.O.M. also urged people to check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's map of harmful algae blooms, which shows where were detected in recent weeks or earlier in the season.
Exposure to harmful algae blooms can pose health risks to animals and humans and should be avoided.
