Long Island's Polluted Water And Soil: What's The Damage?

Long Island's water and soil are polluted with harmful levels of contaminants, including PFAS, PFOA, 1,4-dioxane, and PFOS. These chemicals are resistant to breaking down and can build up in the body, causing adverse health effects such as liver damage, cholesterol changes, and cancer. The water that flows from every spigot in Nassau and Suffolk County comes from groundwater aquifers, which are susceptible to contamination by reactive nitrogen, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, pesticides, and household sewage. This has led to outbreaks of toxic algae blooms and oxygen-deprived dead zones, threatening both human and animal health. With unfiltered tap water containing cancer-causing chemicals, Long Island's drinking water is considered some of the most unsafe across the state.

Nitrogen pollution

The sources of nitrogen pollution on Long Island are varied. Traditional cesspools and septic systems are a major contributor, as they are not designed to keep reactive nitrogen from entering groundwater aquifers. In addition, the use of fertilizers on lawns and in agriculture can also lead to increased nitrogen levels in water bodies. Climate change is also playing a role, as more frequent and intense storms bring greater rainfall, which in turn brings more nitrogen loading from land to sea.

The effects of nitrogen pollution on Long Island's water quality are widespread and detrimental. Excess nitrogen in the water has led to toxic algae blooms, which can produce toxins harmful to both humans and animals. These blooms have been linked to dog illnesses and deaths across the U.S. and on Long Island. Low oxygen conditions, or "dead zones," have also become prevalent across Long Island, threatening fish populations and degrading marine habitats.

To address this issue, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has launched the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP). LINAP is a collaborative, multiyear effort involving various organizations and counties to reduce nitrogen levels in the region's water. The plan includes initiatives such as upgrading and replacing aging septic systems with modern, nitrogen-reducing ones, and establishing nitrogen reduction endpoints to improve surface water quality.

Suffolk County, one of the most affected areas, has also developed its own plans to combat nitrogen pollution. The county has proposed a $4 billion, 50-year Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan to replace old septic systems and cesspools with modern sewage systems. This plan aims to reduce nitrogen output and improve the overall water quality in the region.

Toxic algae blooms

Long Island's water and soil are polluted by harmful algal blooms, which are caused by excessive nitrogen loading. During the summer of 2021, every major bay and estuary across Long Island was afflicted by toxic algae blooms, also known as "brown tides", and oxygen-starved, dead zones. The excessive rainfall brought more nitrogen from land to sea, fuelling the growth of algae and the expansion of dead zones. The root cause of this problem is excessive nitrogen from household sewage that seeps into groundwater and ultimately into bays, harbors, and estuaries, or in some cases, is directly discharged into surface waters.

One of the harmful algae species found in Long Island waters is Alexandrium spp., which has been present since the 1970s and made its first harmful bloom in 2006, causing large shellfishing closures in Northport and Huntington Harbors. Alexandrium spp. produces saxitoxin, a dangerous neurotoxin that can damage or impair the functioning of nerve tissue. This toxin can be concentrated in the body tissues of molluscan shellfish like scallops, mussels, and clams, making them dangerous for human consumption. Consumption of toxic shellfish can cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), which includes numbness and tingling in the face and extremities, followed by headaches and dizziness.

Another species common in Long Island waters is Aureococcus anophagefferens, which produces a non-toxic bloom that is harmless to humans. However, at high concentrations, Aureococcus can significantly reduce sunlight penetration, inhibiting the ability of other plants and algae to produce energy and affecting the growth and reproduction of shellfish.

The harmful algal blooms have had economic impacts as well. In Long Island Sound, New York, the brown tides in 1985 and 1986 caused an estimated loss of $4.5 million to the bay scallop fishery. More recently, in 2021, Suffolk County in Long Island had more lakes with blue-green algal blooms than any other county in New York State, posing risks to both human and animal health.

To address the issue of nitrogen pollution and improve water quality in Long Island, modern waste treatment plants and sewer mains are needed to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into water bodies and reduce the impact of harmful algal blooms on the environment, economy, and public health.

Dead zones

Long Island's water and soil are polluted by a variety of contaminants, including excessive nitrogen, PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, 1,4-dioxane, pharmaceuticals, organophosphate flame retardants, and pesticides. Nitrogen pollution, in particular, has led to the creation of "dead zones" in the region.

The excessive nitrogen in Long Island's waters comes from various sources, including household sewage that seeps into groundwater and is eventually discharged into bays, harbors, and estuaries. Traditional cesspools and septic systems in Suffolk and Nassau Counties are not designed to prevent reactive nitrogen from entering groundwater aquifers. Additionally, fertilizers, air pollution, and stormwater runoff contribute to the problem.

The expansion of dead zones has been linked to climate change, with increasing precipitation bringing more nitrogen loading from land to sea. Tropical storms, such as Henri and Ida, have also played a role in expanding dead zones across Long Island Sound and elsewhere.

The presence of dead zones and other water quality issues on Long Island has raised concerns among residents and environmental groups. Interactive maps have been created to raise awareness and urge the New York State Department of Health to strengthen regulations. Residents are advised to use water filters to ensure their drinking water is safe and reduce their exposure to contaminants.

PFAS chemicals

Long Island's water comes from a variety of sources, including lakes, wells, and other water suppliers. As a result, the water quality can vary significantly between different areas of the island. The water that flows from every spigot in Nassau and Suffolk County comes from groundwater aquifers and nowhere else.

Long Island's groundwater and surface water are polluted due to numerous contamination sites across the island. Unfiltered tap water contains cancer-causing chemicals and other harmful substances, making it some of the most unsafe drinking water in the state of New York.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made synthetic chemicals that have been produced worldwide since the 1940s. These chemicals are used for their waterproofing and stain-resistant properties and are found in a variety of products, including fabric conditioners, firefighting foam, and older styles of Teflon. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment. Instead, they continue to accumulate, leading to increasing levels that can be harmful to human health. PFAS have been linked to weakened immune systems, cancer, liver tissue damage, cholesterol changes, and fetus developmental effects.

PFAS contamination has been detected in the groundwater on Long Island, particularly in areas close to airports, military bases, and firefighting training areas. A study conducted by Citizens Campaign for the Environment found traces of PFAS in the drinking water of 33 out of 48 water districts across Long Island. The highest concentration of PFAS was found in the Suffolk County Water Authority's Distribution Area 20, which includes the communities of Shirley, Mastic Beach, Mastic, Moriches, and several other towns.

While there is currently no mandatory limit to the total accumulated PFAS that can be in water, individual PFAS compounds have mandatory limits under state law. The EPA is working on finalizing regulations for PFAS, and the infrastructure law passed in 2021 includes funding to help water authorities purify their supplies and filter out PFAS. In the meantime, residents of Long Island are encouraged to use high-quality water filters to ensure their drinking water is safe.

Sewage discharge

Sewage pollution is a pressing issue for Long Island, with scientists at Stony Brook University finding that it continued to plague the island during the summer of 2019. Every major bay and estuary across Long Island was badly affected by toxic algae blooms, oxygen-starved waters, or both. These issues were caused by heavy loads of nitrogen, which primarily came from sewage and fertilizers. This has had a significant impact on the region's quality of life, health, and economy.

Nitrogen pollution from inadequately treated sewage is degrading bays and lakes, and this will continue unless action is taken. Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, has called for elected leaders and the public to support the Suffolk County plan to replace septic and cesspool systems with new technology that removes nitrogen before it enters the ground and surface waters. Groups such as The Nature Conservancy have been working to revive shellfish populations and seagrass habitats, but they now must also focus on reducing nitrogen pollution in the waters.

Long Island's water comes from various sources, including lakes, wells, and other water suppliers, which is why the water quality differs drastically from area to area. The water that flows from every spigot in Nassau and Suffolk County comes from groundwater aquifers and nowhere else. Even when functioning correctly, traditional Long Island cesspools and septic systems cannot prevent reactive nitrogen from entering these aquifers. This has led to excessive nitrogen in bays, harbors, and estuaries, causing toxic algal blooms that remove oxygen from the waters as they decay.

To address this issue, Suffolk County has developed the Subwatersheds Wastewater Management Plan, which aims to identify pollution sources and nitrogen reduction needs for 191 water bodies across the county. This plan will inform the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan. Additionally, the Long Island Clean Water Partnership is offering financial incentives of up to $30,000 for homeowners who want to replace their polluting cesspools or septic tanks with clean water technology.

Frequently asked questions