Residents of a Hamptons enclave have been left up in arms after their pristine beaches were closed due to pollution from old septic tanks.
The residents of swanky Southampton have been unable to enjoy the last of the summer sun after pipes from Lake Agawam were opened into the ocean.
According to reports, Lake Agawam is one of the most polluted lakes in New York state and is home to celebrities including Calvin Klein and billionaire David Koch.
The opening of the pipes caused Old Town, Gin and Cryder beaches to be closed after the polluted water flooded into the area.
One resident told Page Six: ‘It’s a s*** show’, adding that the pollution comes from ‘old septic tanks and runoff with pesticides from everybody’s landscaping’.
The residents of swanky Southampton have been unable to enjoy the last of the summer sun after pipes from Lake Agawam were opened into the ocean
The opening of the pipes caused Old Town, Gin and Cryder beaches to be closed after the polluted water flooded into the area
The anonymous resident added: ‘They are about to open the floodgates of the most expensive s*** in New York onto our beaches.’
While former mayor of the town Jessie Warren shared videos of the beach onto his Instagram, accusing the town of pumping the polluted water into the ocean.
He said: ‘The Village unfortunately waited to open the Old Town drain pipe to reduce the water levels in the lake.
‘But now, according to the State Department of Environmental Conservation, harmful algae bloom season is from April – end of September, and they advise to avoid contact with suspicious blooms.
‘Given that the Village has added fertilizer to the lake this winter, expect a dense and toxic bloom this season at Old Town and potentially Lake Agawam as well. Toxic algae is dangerous to pets and small children.’
He added: ‘The water potentially contains toxic algae and enterococcus bacteria, often found in fecal matter.
Former mayor of the town Jessie Warren shared videos of the beach onto his Instagram, accusing the town of pumping the polluted water into the ocean
Workers can be seen her dealing with the polluted water after it was let out over the sands
‘Opening the drain pipe during Harmful Algae Bloom season when the weather is unseasonably hot and dry is not a good practice and for years we avoided this.’
The village posted on their Instagram telling residents that the pipe was opened ‘due to heavy rains’ and they had to lower water levels on Lake Agawam.
In another post they also took a shot at Warren, saying: ‘The Town Trustees who oversee our bodies of water were informed, as was the Lake Agawam Conservancy.
‘They are well aware (as is the former mayor) that this must be done when the lake and pond overflow.
‘This was done MANY TIMES during Warren’s mayorship! He knows this but wants residents to believe it is something new. It is not.’
Lake Agawam, seen here, is one of the most polluted lakes in New York state and is home to celebrities including Calvin Klein and billionaire David Koch
According to a 2022 report in the Long Island Advocate, previous techniques to clean up Lake Agawam include using hydrogen peroxide and ultrasonic technology.
The outlet reported that while the ultrasonic devices didn’t work, the hydrogen peroxide proved effective in eliminating algal blooms.
It added that Southampton has received several grants to fund solution which includes $987,000 to install bioswales in the town.
Bioswales are channels of native plants alongside a road that catch rain and prevent a runoff of fertilizer into waterways.
The Lake Agawam Conservancy’s site adds: ‘Pollutants from roadways, lawn chemicals and impacts from old septic systems throughout our large watershed, which extends throughout all residences and businesses in Southampton Village, are killing this freshwater Lake, and causing harmful algal blooms to decimate the ecosystem [that] can cause serious health problems for people and our pets.’