The Suffolk County Department of Health Services today issued an advisory for residents and visitors to take precautions before recreating in Patchogue Bay. This advisory follows a recent NYSDEC report of a raw sewage discharge resulting from a broken pipe at the site of construction at the corner of Maiden Lane and South Ocean Ave. in Patchogue.
Because the discharge reached surface waters, there is potential for elevated levels of pathogenic organisms to be present in this area. Corrective actions to mitigate the discharge have been initiated.
Suffolk County Health officials are working closely with the NYSDEC, which has jurisdiction over the permitting, enforcement, and management of the Patchogue sewage treatment plant.
The NYSDEC had previously prohibited the harvest of shellfish year round from the Patchogue Bay, including nearby tributaries, creeks, and canals.
Health officials advise those engaged in recreational activities in the area to avoid contact with waters from Patchogue Bay until 12:00 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2023.
Keep children and pets away from the area. If contact does occur, rinse off the affected area with clean water immediately. Seek medical attention if after exposure you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; skin, eye or throat irritation, or allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.
Corey Beach in Blue Point has been closed to bathing due to the potential for excess bacteria resulting from the discharge. The beach will reopen when testing shows that bacteria are within acceptable limits.
More information will be forthcoming as health officials learn more about the situation.
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