Village staff: Town Pond tests positive for cyanobacteria; residents told to avoid contact

Billy Hajrack, speaking for the Village of East Hampton, said tests from Stony Brook University confirmed cyanobacteria in Town Pond and warned residents and pet owners to avoid the water.

"The water did test positive for cyanobacteria, which is a blue green algae bloom," Hajrack said, explaining that warm weather and excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus typically cause such blooms. He told residents to "stay away from the water, not touch the water and keep their pets away from the water" while conditions persist.

Hajrack said Suffolk County Health Services and the town's Natural Resources Department were notified and that village trustees and staff would post warning signage on the property. He added that "there's not much to do in the immediate time" and that blooms "will typically last for a week to 3 weeks," but staff will explore longer‑term options to reduce recurrence.

Officials urged homeowners and landscapers to limit fertilizer application and recommended septic upgrades in sensitive areas as potential long‑term mitigations to reduce nutrient runoff into the pond.

The report was delivered during the village's July 1 organizational meeting; trustees did not take regulatory action during the session but directed public notification and coordination with county and town environmental authorities.

The village did not specify a timetable for follow‑up testing or a formal remediation plan; those details were described as "under review." Residents seeking more information were directed to watch village postings and contact Suffolk County Health Services for guidance on exposure risks and testing.