Multiple sites tested in Lake Montauk, elsewhere in Montauk, and Northwest Creek in East Hampton revealed elevated levels of enterococcus bacteria, Concerned Citizens of Montauk announced this week.
Enterococcus is bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. It is often used as an indicator of water contamination, particularly by fecal matter. Rainfall prior to and during sampling likely contributed to the results by increasing runoff, which can carry bacteria into local waters, according to C.C.O.M.
Forty-one percent of this week's water testing results fell under "medium" or "high" enterococcus categories, which are considered unsafe for recreation. The conditions in Lake Montauk are worse, with seven of nine sampling sites registering dangerous bacteria levels.
The highest measurement of enterococcus was at the Benson Drive culvert at Lake Montauk, where a level of 1,918 MPN per 100 milliliters was seen. "MPN" refers to "most probable number" of microorganisms found in a sample, an estimate of the number of bacteria present. A measurement greater than 104 MPN/100 mL is considered high, and direct contact with the water should be avoided.
Other Lake Montauk sites where high levels of enterococcus were measured were the west creek, at 1,376 MPN/100 mL; the east creek, 529 MPN/100 mL; Stepping Stones, 420 MPN/100 mL; Little Reed Pond Creek, 213 MPN/100 mL, and the harbor, 119 MPN/100 mL. Elsewhere in Montauk, a reading of 1,374 MPN/100 mL was measured at the outfall pipe at Surfside Place.
In East Hampton, a 287 MPN/100 mL reading was taken at the Northwest Creek ramp. Two other sites, Settlers Landing and the culvert saw "medium bacteria" levels, at 97 and 52 MPN/100 mL respectively.
According to the Suffolk County Health Department, exposure to pathogen-contaminated water can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fever. Illnesses of the upper respiratory tract, and minor skin, eye, ear, nose, and throat infections have also been associated with pathogen exposures. Those with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and children are most vulnerable to these illnesses, the latter group due to their level of activity and opportunities for ingestion of water.
C.C.O.M. tests water quality at locations in Montauk, Amagansett, and East Hampton twice per month in May and will test weekly beginning in June. In collaboration with the Gobler Lab at Stony Brook University, the group also samples for harmful algal blooms in the summer months. That testing will resume on June 2.
