A surge in algae and nitrogen are harming our water supply! What can we do to fix it?
By: Robert Kelly
What is the current situation?
Throughout Long Island, there are nearly 500,000 conventional cesspools and conventional septic systems releasing harmful contaminants into our water supply. Nitrogen is one of the most dangerous contaminants. Though nitrogen is a naturally occurring element, excessive and uncontrolled amounts of it can result in a surge of algal blooms, which poison our shellfish, kill ecosystems, and change the way we interact with the ocean for the worse.
Long Island's war against algae blooms has dated back to the mid-1980s. The surge in these blooms harms shellfish and other bottom dwellers by depriving them of the oxygen they need to survive or releasing many toxins that have the same effect and kill ecosystems. Another adverse impact of algae blooms is that they block essential nutrients and sun rays needed by plants such as eelgrass, causing them to die.
Does this problem only affect oceanic communities, or is there more to the story?
The effects of nitrogen pollution are not limited to aquatic animals but people as well. This form of contamination puts coastal communities at high risk because it damages wildlife habitats such as wetlands, which are natural barriers between people and the water. Without this shield, people, roads, and buildings will not be as protected. In addition, while most algae are not harmful to humans, exposure to blue-green algae results in many health problems and illnesses. These effects could be from rashes and headaches to more serious issues such as fevers and trouble breathing.
An unwelcome surplus of nitrogen is not the sole factor in the water quality here on Long Island. We must take big business into account as well. The disposal of absurd amounts of chemical waste from local industries over time has polluted our water supply to the point that many areas of our aquifer system are no longer being used for public water supply, says Sarah Meyland, Associate Professor of Environmental Technology and Sustainability at the New York Institute of Technology. In addition, unlike many regions, Long Island citizens live above their water supply, meaning any pollution or harmful environmental actions that take place on land can potentially impact the groundwater we need below negatively.
Following the advent of under-regulated chemicals, now referred to as "emerging contaminants," health officials are doing all they can to identify any unsafe levels of the substances in our drinking water. Chemicals that the public is giving extra attention to include, but are not limited to, 1,4 Dioxane, PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
What are we doing to protect our water quality?
To counter all that is wrong with the water supply here on Long Island, New York State is investing millions of dollars in installing new treatment and water conditioning technology to treat our sewage system. This money will also help set a precedent for drinking water standards. This is a situation where we must be both diligent and cautious in the way we approach a solution. A critical next step is to focus on supplying Long Island with more clean water by preventing excess nitrogen from entering it in the first place. Long Island can accomplish this feat by replacing polluting septic systems with updated and more efficient technology that will remove more pollutants from wastewater, helping to keep contaminants out of lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, and most importantly, the water we consume. However, if state regulators and lawmakers procrastinate in enacting policies and practices to prevent pollution, Long island will continue to lag behind the country in water protection and management.
What role can you play in creating an environment with clean water and sanitation?
Don't worry. There is plenty you can do to help make a difference too. You can contact the North Shore Land Alliance or partner with the Long Island clean water partnership. If this isn't something you see yourself doing, then maybe you can try to reduce or eliminate the amount of fertilizer and lawn chemicals you expend because they are extremely high in nitrogen. No matter where you may be, there is always something you can do to contribute to the solution, and if we all band together and play our part, we can create a world where clean water is a reality.
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