Results of Conservancy's Tests of Water Quality Around the Island

For over a decade the Fishers Island Conservancy has been testing the water quality of the waters in and around Fishers Island for potentially harmful bacteria. Originally the testing was confined to Hay Harbor and the surrounding ponds and streams. Over the past two summers the Conservancy has expanded the testing area to include West Harbor, East Harbor and several additional sites along the north shore of the island. In August 2008, Conservancy volunteers collected seventeen samples in West Harbor, East Harbor and points in between just off shore. The sites included Silver Eel Pond, Dock Beach, the Yacht Club and three sites in East Harbor: the Big Club dock, the estuary by the 16th hole as well as waters around the 14th tee. Chocomount Cove and an area off of North Hill were also tested at that time. The samples were taken by volunteer boat and analyzed for Enterococci by Bal Laboratory in Kingston, Road Island.

The Conservancy is pleased to report that the results were at levels substantially below amounts considered to be a hazard to people or marine environments.

This Conservancy program is a collaboration of volunteers and paid professionals who have diligently logged many hours to test water samples. It is financed with private donations from the Island community. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help take and transport samples this year please contact us through this web site.