Residents of an enclave in the Hamptons are in an uproar after their pristine beaches were closed due to pollution.
Residents of posh Southampton were left unable to enjoy the last rays of summer sunshine after pipelines from Lake Agawam to the ocean were opened.
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 closed Old Town, Gin and Cryder beaches after polluted water flooded the area.
A resident said Page Six: “It’s all show,” he added, adding that the pollution comes from “old septic tanks and wastewater with pesticides from everyone’s garden.”
Residents of posh Southampton were unable to enjoy the last of the summer sun after the pipes from Lake Agawam to the ocean were opened
The opening of the pipes closed Old Town, Gin and Cryder beaches after polluted water flooded the area
The anonymous resident added: “They are about to open the floodgates of the most expensive junk in New York onto our beaches.”
Former mayor Jessie Warren shared videos of the beach on Instagram, accusing the city of pumping polluted water into the ocean.
He said: ‘Unfortunately, the village waited to open the drain from the old town to lower the water level in the lake.
‘But according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the harmful algae bloom season runs from April to the end of September and they advise avoiding contact with suspected algae blooms.
“Since the town added fertilizer to the lake this winter, expect a dense and toxic bloom in Old Town and possibly Lake Agawam this season. Toxic algae is dangerous to pets and small children.”
He added: ‘The water may contain toxic algae and enterococcus bacteria, which are often found in feces.
The city’s former mayor, Jessie Warren, shared videos of the beach on his Instagram and accused the city of pumping the polluted water into the ocean
Workers can be seen processing the polluted water after it has been dumped over the sand
“It’s not a good idea to open the drain during the harmful algal bloom season, when the weather is unusually warm and dry. For years we’ve avoided doing this.”
The village posted a message on Instagram informing residents that the pipeline had been opened “due to heavy rainfall” and that they had to lower the water level of Lake Agawam.
In another post, they also lashed out at Warren, saying: “The city’s water authorities have been notified, as has the Lake Agawam Conservancy.
‘They know very well (just like the former mayor) that this has to happen when the lake and pond overflow.
“This has been done MANY TIMES during Warren’s mayoralty! He knows this, but 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 including Calvin Klein and billionaire David Koch
According to a 2022 report in the Long Island AttorneyPrevious techniques to clean Lake Agawam include the use of hydrogen peroxide and ultrasonic technology.
According to the magazine, the ultrasonic devices did not work, but the hydrogen peroxide was effective in combating algae blooms.
Southampton has received multiple grants to fund a solution, including $987,000 to install bioswales in the city.
Bioswales are channels of native plants along a road that collect rainwater and prevent fertilizers from entering waterways.
The Lake Agawam Conservancy website adds: “Pollutants from roads, lawn chemicals and the impact of old septic systems in our large watershed, which spans every home and business in Southampton Village, are killing this freshwater lake and causing harmful algae blooms that decimate the ecosystem. [that] can cause serious health problems in people and pets.’