The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released findings from a regional study of the impacts of exchanged sea water into Long Island embayments in an effort to improve water quality. The Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) Embayment Water Exchange Study explored technologies to exchange more sea water into embayments, with results showing that impacts vary depending on the type of waterbody involved. The study shows that although water exchange technologies may improve water quality in small waterbodies, these technologies do not effectively address water quality concerns in large waterbodies, which include most of Long Island’s embayments.
“New York State’s water quality experts use the latest data to ensure DEC’s policies and programs are guided by science,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The LINAP Embayment Water Exchange Study helped assess the effectiveness of water exchange technologies, and while these technologies may not improve water quality issues in large embayments, DEC will continue to work with our many partners across Long Island to find effective ways to restore the region’s waterways by reducing nitrogen and other harmful pollutants.”
The study looked at different types of waterbodies commonly found on Long Island, including a harbor with a sand spit, shallow harbor, open harbor, tidal stream, coastal lagoon, and coastal pond. Multiple water exchange practices were evaluated, including environmental dredging, sand spit removal, pipe-and-pump, culvert or pipe with tidal flow, and tide gates.
The results of New York’s study show that water exchange technologies do not effectively address water quality concerns in large waterbodies, which include most of Long Island’s embayments. Water exchange projects may help improve water quality in smaller Long Island waterbodies where the volume of increased water exchange approaches the volume of the overall waterbody. No actual construction of modifications was associated with the study.
DEC is holding a webinar to present the study results on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 10 a.m.
