Study Grades Quality of Long Island Sound Waters

An environmental organization issued its biennial report card Thursday on the Long Island Sound, finding some success in the reduction of nitrogen released into the waters.

Save the Sound , which tackles water quality issues from both Connecticut and  New York, issued an A- grade for western Long Island Sound, including the Huntington area. Overall, the organization said, 98% of the open waters of the Sound rated a grade of B or higher.

The eastern portion of Long Island received a grade of A, dropping as testing moved west until it hit F for what was described as the Western Narrows of New York City.

Of particular concern for this area is the rating of bays. Northport Harbor had the lowest grade locally, at C, while Huntington Bay, Centerport Harbor came in as B+, Huntington Harbor and Northport Bay as B and Lloyd Harbor at B-.

David Ansel, vice president of water protection for Save the Sound, said, “It’s apparent that past investment in nitrogen pollution reduction from wastewater infrastructure is linked to improving the open waters of Long Island Sound. Now, our challenge is to find the political will to extend and expand this investment. If we do not act, climate change impacts including rising water temperatures and changes in storm frequency and intensity in the Sound threaten to erase our hard-won gains. Already, lingering poor water quality in area bays and open waters near population centers signal that more must be done.”

Speakers noted that the quality of water was not only a concern for swimmers and boaters, but also for the businesses that depend on the waterways to thrive.

“Water quality is so important in the Town of Huntington. Every community on Long Island is a waterfront community because what happens upland eventually makes its way to the waterfront,” Town Supervisor Ed Smyth said.

A variety of programs, from drainage to reduce stormwater runoff into the Sound and efforts to reseed harbors with oysters that clean the water, continue in the town.

Speakers voiced support for Proposition 2, which would increase the county sales tax by one-eighth of a cent to fund water quality improvement projects.

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