Health officials warn swimmers, pet owners after cyanobacteria found in Agawan Lake and Swan Pond

Health officials warned residents on June 5 to avoid contact with water at two East End sites after Stony Brook Southampton confirmed cyanobacteria, commonly called blue‑green algae, in recent samples.

Officials said samples from Agawan Lake in Southampton Village and Swan Pond off Isle of Wight Road in Springs tested positive for cyanobacteria. "You should avoid contact with any water that looks discolored or has a floating paint-like scum on the surface," the bulletin said during the broadcast.

Officials cautioned that blue‑green algae can occur naturally in low numbers but can rapidly form thick blooms that pose risks to people and animals. They urged residents to keep children and pets away from the affected waters, rinse immediately if contact occurs and watch for symptoms such as nausea or skin irritation.

Residents were told how to report suspected blooms to the state Department of Environmental Conservation at habsinfodec.ny.gov. The broadcast did not provide timelines for when the lakes would be retested or when advisories might be lifted.

The advisory covers two named local water bodies; viewers with illness after water contact should contact their health care provider and local public-health authorities.