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.
