Residents of a Hamptons enclave have been outraged after their pristine beaches were closed due to pollution from old septic tanks.
Residents of upmarket Southampton have been unable to enjoy the last rays of summer sunshine after the Lake Agawam pipelines were opened to the ocean.
Lake Agawam is reportedly one of the most polluted lakes in New York State and is home to celebrities such as Calvin Klein and billionaire David Koch.
The opening of the pipes led to the closure of Old Town, Gin and Cryder beaches after contaminated water flooded the area.
One resident said Page six“It’s a spectacle,” he added, adding that the pollution comes from “old septic tanks and pesticide runoff from everyone’s gardens.”
Residents of upmarket Southampton have been unable to enjoy the last rays of summer sunshine after the Lake Agawam pipelines were opened to the ocean.
The opening of the pipes led to the closure of Old Town, Gin and Cryder beaches after contaminated water flooded the area.
The anonymous resident added: “They are about to open the floodgates of the most expensive shit in New York on our beaches.”
Meanwhile, former mayor Jessie Warren shared videos from the beach on Instagram, accusing the city of pumping polluted water into the ocean.
He said: ‘Unfortunately, the town waited to open the old town drainage pipe to reduce water levels in the lake.
‘But now, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the harmful algae bloom season is from April to late September, and they advise avoiding contact with suspicious blooms.
“Since the town has added fertilizer to the lake this winter, a dense, toxic bloom is expected this season in Old Town and possibly in Lake Agawam as well. The toxic algae is dangerous for pets and small children.”
He added: “The water potentially contains toxic algae and enterococci bacteria, which are often found in fecal matter.
Former city mayor Jessie Warren shared videos from the beach on Instagram, accusing the city of pumping polluted water into the ocean.
Workers can be seen dealing with contaminated water after it was released onto the sands.
‘Opening the drain pipe during the harmful algae bloom season, when the weather is abnormally hot and dry, is not good practice and we have avoided it for years.’
The town posted on Instagram that the pipeline opened “due to heavy rain” and that they had to lower the water levels at Lake Agawam.
In another post they also attacked Warren, saying: ‘City trustees who oversee our waterways, as well as the Lake Agawam Conservancy, were notified.
‘They know very well (as does the former mayor) that this must be done when the lake and pond overflow.
“This was done MANY TIMES during Warren’s mayoralty! He knows this, but he wants residents to believe it’s something new. It’s not.”
Lake Agawam, seen here, is one of the most polluted lakes in New York State and is home to celebrities such as Calvin Klein and billionaire David Koch.
According to a 2022 report by the Long Island DefenderPrevious techniques for cleaning Lake Agawam include the use of hydrogen peroxide and ultrasonic technology.
The outlet reported that while ultrasonic devices did not work, hydrogen peroxide was effective in eliminating algae blooms.
She added that Southampton has received several grants to fund solutions including $987,000 to install bioswales in the city.
Bioswales are channels of native plants along a road that capture rainfall and prevent fertilizer runoff into waterways.
The Lake Agawam Conservancy website adds: ‘Road pollutants, lawn chemicals, and impacts from old septic systems throughout our large watershed, which extends across all of the residences and businesses in Southampton Village, are killing this freshwater lake and causing harmful algae blooms that decimate the ecosystem (which) can cause serious health problems for people and our pets.’
