FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2018
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Rebecca Cheng and Vicki DiStefano | (516) 869-7794
New Manhasset Bay Water Quality Report Released
North Hempstead, NY – The Manhasset Bay Water Quality Analysis Report, which looks at data from 2009 through 2015, is now available. The Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, working with the Town of North Hempstead, contracted with the firm Fuss & O’Neill, Inc. for this work. “We are excited that Manhasset Bay now joins the rest of the north shore embayments in Nassau County with a published water quality report,” said Sarah Deonarine, Executive Director of the Committee.
The Committee requested a study which compiled seven years of bacteria and water quality data and connected it with weather and environmental events. The data demonstrated a link between rainfall, sampling locations near more densely populated areas, and bacteria counts. All of the sampling stations are influenced by stormwater runoff and this pattern is consistent with previous modeling. The report also found that, when compared with state water quality standards, the majority of samples from all stations were safe for swimming, except within a day or two of rain.
The report also looked at dissolved oxygen data collected by the Interstate Environmental Commission. Dissolved oxygen is important for marine life to survive and can be low during the summer. The report found that dissolved oxygen concentrations get lower moving from the mouth of the Bay inland. This is consistent with the shallower depth and less mixing found in the back of the Bay. To learn more, the report can be downloaded from http://www.manhassetbayprotectioncommittee.org/waterquality.htm
“Clean water is vitally important to all current residents and future generations and must remain a top priority. Water quality reports like this one highlight positive progress while also showing where we can continue to improve,” said State Senator Elaine Phillips.
“The recommendations in the water quality report will allow us to continue to protect our waterways and keep them clean for future generations,” said Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “The Town is thankful to be a part of the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee and to have this water quality data published.”
Manhasset Bay is a vital resource which impacts the regional economy and the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee remains committed. Key recommendations of this report, such as DNA-based testing, are already being pursued by the Committee. Despite all of this great work, water quality cannot continue to improve without the help of everyone. “Keeping the Bay clean is something all of us can help do,” said Town of North Hempstead Councilmember Dina De Giorgio. “Simple tasks, like picking up after pets, not over-fertilizing lawns, and keeping everything but stormwater out of storm drains, will make a big impact on Manhasset Bay.”
“As chair of the New York State Assembly’s Long Island Sound Task Force, I am always seeking new information about the status of our waterways connected to the Sound. I appreciate that this important work is being done and I compliment the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee for being the gatekeepers to providing good quality, relevant and valuable data,” said NY State Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso.
The Manhasset Bay Protection Committee is an inter-municipal organization formed in 1998, focused on addressing water quality and coastal issues in Manhasset Bay with a coordinated, watershed-level approach. The 15 member municipalities are: Nassau County, the Town of North Hempstead, and the villages of Baxter Estates, Flower Hill, Great Neck, Kensington, Kings Point, Manorhaven, Munsey Park, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Port Washington North, Sands Point, and Thomaston.