PLATTSBURGH
-- Water contamination caused by blue-green algae, known as cyanobacteria has caused
illnesses and beach closures throughout the region. In some areas of New York,
conditions are at a record high this year for toxic algae blooms. These high
levels of bacteria have kept beachgoers out of the water this season causing
concern.
“Living in Plattsburgh, we rarely
get nice weather,” said Sophie Ward of Plattsburgh, who regularly visits
Plattsburgh City Beach with her son. “So when we have a warm summer like we had
this year, it would be nice to enjoy going to our beach; however, the levels of
contamination concerns me because of my two-year-old son.”
According to the New York State
Department of Health website, “Some blue-green algae produce toxins that could
pose a health risk to people and animals when they are exposed to them in large
enough quantities. Health effects could occur when surface scums or water
containing high levels of blue-green algal toxins are swallowed, through
contact with the skin or when airborne droplets containing toxins are inhaled
while swimming, bathing or showering.”
Plattsburgh City Beach was latest
beach closed due to health concerns in the water in our region. A new
Cumberland Bay Water Quality Program has started in Plattsburgh to intensify
water sampling and quality levels.
“All bathing beaches must meet the
following water quality monitoring requirements in section 6-2.15,” said Karen
Cabana, computer programmer for Clinton County Health Department.
These requirements state the water
shall be free of chemical substances capable of creating toxic reactions, skin
or membrane irritations to the general public. Also Algae and aquatic
vegetation shall be controlled so no hazard to bathers will result. Any
chemical used to control vegetation and algae shall not be capable of creating
toxic reactions, skin or membrane irritations when the beach is in operation.
Any chemical being used must be approved and permitted by NYSDEC before being
used. This is according to the Clinton County Health Department.
These high levels bacteria haven’t just
been seen in Plattsburgh. Human waste was found in the water at Bennett Beach,
another beach in this region. This was a result of runoff from sewers or from streams
that are contaminated.
Erie County Health Commissioner Gale
Burstein said in an interview with WKBW Buffalo, “The water looks crystal
clear, and why is the beach closed? But you can't see bacterial contamination,
you can't see chemical contamination, and that's why were so aggressive with
the testing, working with USGS, to be able to predict what the conditions of
the water are.”
For more information, visit the Clinton
County Health Departments website.
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