Skip to main content

Water Report: High Bacteria Levels at Many Test Sites

Fri, 08/02/2024 - 11:09

According to the Concerned Citizens of Montauk, which tests water bodies in Montauk, Amagansett, Springs, and East Hampton for the enterococcus bacteria, bacteria levels this week were abnormally high both in the Montauk area and in Napeague Harbor. 

C.C.O.M. reported that while heavy rainfalls such as those on July 28 and July 29 often result in increased levels of bacteria, the numbers from the testing sites were remarkably higher than expected. 

An unusual result from Fort Pond Bay near Navy Road: a high number that is not within the norm for the bay side of the water body. C.C.O.M. will retest the site to confirm the result. 

Enterococcus bacteria levels above the threshold of 104 are considered high, and all direct contact with the water should be avoided according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Contact includes swimming, wading, consuming, and all other direct interactions with the unsafe water. Enterococcus bacteria is often an indicator of water contamination, specifically, some by sort of fecal matter. 

Last week's water report revealed that four testing sites within the Montauk, Amagansett, and East Hampton areas yielded high levels of enterococcus bacteria. In stark contrast, this week’s C.C.O.M. reported 15 testing sites with high levels of bacteria above the E.P.A. threshold. Twelve of these sites were in the Montauk area at Lake Montauk, Surfside Place, Fort Pond, and Long Island Sound. The remaining three sites were at Napeague Harbor, Fresh Pond in Amagansett, and Northwest Creek in East Hampton. 

Villages

Time for the Airing of the Quilts at Duck Creek

The third annual Airing of the Quilts will take place on Saturday from noon to 5 at the Arts Center at Duck Creek (Sunday if it rains). Organized by Louise Eastman and Erica-Lynn Huberty, this year’s display is a tribute to the log cabin quilt, long a symbol of refuge and belonging. 

May 16, 2025

Traveling Vietnam Memorial to Visit Amagansett

“Getting to the wall is one of the steps in the healing process for combat vets from Vietnam. A lot of guys have survivor’s guilt. Maybe they missed a patrol and lost a bunch of buddies. Then there are family members who bring their kids and grandkids,” said Doc Russo, who travels around the country with a 300-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington, D.C.

May 15, 2025

A Doctor’s Walk in Montauk

Edwin Keeshan, medical director of the Meeting House Lane Medical Practice in Montauk, will host the hamlet’s first Walk With a Doc, part of a national effort, on Saturday at 11 a.m. The meeting place is the gazebo on the downtown green.

May 15, 2025

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.