Heavy rain closes Island Park beaches again

After a heavy rain last Sunday and on May 30, Nassau County’s Department of Health issued a routine warning about local beaches and water quality. The storm water runoff can be polluted, explained Mary Ellen Laurain, the department’s director of communication and health education.

Municipalities have two different sewer systems. One carries human and household waste, which goes to a sewage treatment plant. The other carries rainwater that runs off lawns, driveways and streets. That runoff goes directly into creeks, streams and bays.

“We begin monitoring the water quality April 1, long before people think about swimming,” Laurain said. “We continue to monitor twice a week or more all summer and into the fall. After a heavy rain we usually post signs for two tide cycles, or 24 hours. We are monitoring the Enterococci bacteria, which normally lives in mammals, including birds, dogs and people. During a storm, animal waste and other pollutants wash into the waterways, which may cause an infection in people who swim in or swallow the water.”

The Town of Hempstead website has a page on storm water management. “Polluted runoff is the nation’s greatest threat to clean water,” it says. The web page says you can direct runoff toward lawns and away from storm drains.

In addition, the town warns against letting pet waste go uncollected, which can wash into nearby waterways through local storm drains and be released directly into bays and streams. “Untreated animal feces can become a significant source of runoff pollution, contaminating Hempstead Town’s natural marine environment,” the website states. “Swimming in waters affected by pet waste can pose health hazards. Waste carries bacteria, viruses and parasites that can present risks to human health and threaten wildlife. Contaminated dirt or sand poses a risk of infection for adults who garden and young children playing outdoors. Flies may also spread diseases from animal waste.”

For several years, the town has been working with volunteer groups to place medallions on local storm drains to let people know that nothing but rainwater should go into them. This program is being expanded to target pet waste disposal. The town is looking for individuals or groups to help place medallions at storm drain locations. The town will provide volunteers with medallions, gloves and adhesive, and training on how to install the medallions as well as maps of the storm drains. To find out more or to volunteer, call (516) 897-4113.