Water study urged in Northport, Centerport

Three federal lawmakers this week urged the government to conduct a review of the water quality in Northport and Centerport harbors, saying that the levels of harmful algae and bacteria there have risen to an "emergency" that poses "a serious threat to public health."

In the July 20 letter to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills) ask the agencies to provide "federal resources" to local leaders to help determine the sources of harmful nitrogen levels and bacteria in the water.

Bacteria has led to the closures of Centerport Yacht Club's beach the past two years.

"Northport Harbor has the 2nd worst water quality with regard to bathing beaches in Suffolk County," the letter states.

In addition, red tide -- a harmful algae bloom usually occurring in spring -- has been responsible for the closure of fishing waters in the area. Excessive nitrogen, which can come from discharges from sewage-treatment plants, leaking sewage lines, cesspools, fertilizers and other sources, is considered a likely cause of red tide.

However, exactly where the nitrogen is coming from has been a topic of contention. Some say that the chief source is the Village of Northport's sewage-treatment plant, while the village maintains that cesspools and fertilizer runoff are largely to blame.

Chris Gobler, associate professor in the school of marine and atmospheric sciences at Stony Brook University, has been studying red tide in Northport Harbor, but he has lacked funding for a study of the source of the nitrogen.Members of the Northport Harbor Water Quality Protection Committee, made up of area leaders and environmental advocates, have been lobbying for such funding. The group's next meeting is Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Huntington Town Hall.