Safe Beaches
We have a right to safe, clean beaches. A right to access the Sound every day. To get there, we must stop the bacteria pollution that causes beach closings.
Closings have risen dramatically over the past decade, especially in New York’s Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties. In Westchester alone, there were 140 beach closings in 2011 and 111 in 2012.
Water Testing
The first step to improving water health is identifying the major pollution sources. In the summer of 2013, we piloted an initiative in Mamaroneck to track down and stop leaking sewage and bacteria. With the help of a great group of volunteers, we tested water at over 20 locations in and around Mamaroneck Harbor. We were able to locate, report, and repair two large and disgusting open waste sources, one just a few yards from a public beach. After just one summer, Mamaroneck Harbor was “noticeably improved” according to local health officials. There is still more to do.
Save the Sound launched the Sound Health Explorer in 2015 as a tool to increase our understanding of water quality conditions in Long Island Sound and to activate local and regional solutions to improve those conditions.
Fixing Pipes
Save the Sound advocates with state and local officials to improve and repair the damaged and leaking storm, sewer, and septic systems that lay under these historic coastal towns. The law also requires towns, municipalities, and villages to fix sewer pipe leaks that contribute to sewage pollution and beach closings. We push for infrastructure funding and the development of tools and incentives for the much-needed repairs the pipes need. Private business and homeowners may also need guidance and support to ensure their sewage lines are intact and connected properly.
Our Western Sound Office in Mamaroneck is the hub of our expanded water monitoring program and our New York advocacy. We work with dozens of testing volunteers and leaders in New York's coastal towns to find and fix pollution sources and improve the health of western Sound.