A Powerful Morning of Science, Solutions, and Community at The View in Oakdale
Last week, Save The Great South Bay had the honor of hosting Dr. Christopher Gobler at The View in Oakdale for an inspiring and eye-opening morning focused on the health of Long Island’s waters. The turnout was incredible—proof that our community cares deeply about the future of our bays.
Dr. Gobler, Professor at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and Co-Director of the Center for Clean Water Technology, presented his 2025 State of the South Shore Bays Report, sharing decades of research on how nitrogen pollution, climate change, and human activity are transforming our coastal ecosystems.
Long Island’s Water at a Crossroads
Dr. Gobler began with a fundamental truth: all of Long Island is a watershed. Every lawn, street, and septic system drains to our groundwater and ultimately, our bays. His research shows that wastewater is the largest single source of nitrogen pollution, accounting for the majority of nitrogen entering our surface and groundwater.
That nitrogen fuels a chain reaction of problems: harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion, habitat loss, and shellfish mortality. Suffolk County’s groundwater now averages 3.8 milligrams of nitrogen per liter—among the highest in the nation—and nearly double what is considered safe for coastal ecosystems.
But the danger doesn’t stop at the shoreline. Dr. Gobler highlighted a growing body of research showing that even low levels of nitrates in drinking water are linked to increased cancer risk and adverse birth outcomes. Studies now estimate that nitrate pollution in U.S. drinking water may be responsible for up to 12,600 cancer cases each year, costing more than $1.5 billion in healthcare expenses.
A Bay Under Stress
The effects of nitrogen pollution are visible in every corner of Long Island. In 2024, Suffolk County had more blue-green algae blooms than any other county in New York State, with 90% of the state’s counties reporting at least one bloom. These cyanobacteria can release microcystins, potent liver toxins that threaten humans, pets, and wildlife alike.
Dr. Gobler also reported a record-setting outbreak of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in 2025—the largest in 15 years. In Shinnecock Bay and Jockey Creek, toxic Alexandrium blooms forced extensive shellfish bed closures, with saxitoxin levels more than 20 times higher than FDA limits and three times greater when wastewater-derived nitrogen was present.
The Oxygen Crisis Below the Surface
Beneath the surface, low dissolved oxygen levels (hypoxia) continue to devastate marine life. Gobler Lab research showed that hypoxic conditions drastically slow the growth of clams, oysters, and scallops—key species for both ecology and economy. Encouragingly, their experiments revealed that aerating low-oxygen waters can rescue bivalve growth rates by up to 70%, underscoring how local interventions can make a measurable difference.
Climate Change: A Force Multiplier
Dr. Gobler placed these local challenges within a global context: the Anthropocene, an era in which human activity is the dominant force shaping Earth’s systems. Long Island’s summer water temperatures have been warming three times faster than the global average since 2002. At the same time, extreme rainfall events—once considered “100-year storms”—are now occurring every few years.
These changes are fueling the rise of Vibrio vulnificus, a dangerous bacterium that thrives in warm, brackish waters. Once rare in our region, it was detected in 50% of Long Island sampling sites in 2025, following heavy rainfall and runoff. The bacteria can infect open wounds by simply swimming in the water.
Turning the Tide: Science-Based Solutions
While the data was sobering, Dr. Gobler’s message was ultimately hopeful. Across Long Island, policies and technologies are being put in place to reverse decades of damage.
- Suffolk County’s Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan aims to upgrade 200,000 septic systems by 2050, replacing outdated cesspools with advanced Nitrogen-Removing Biofilters (NRBs) that cut nitrogen pollution by over 90%.
- Homeowners in Suffolk county can now access grants up to $40,000 and residents in South and East Hampton up to $65,000 to install these innovative systems.
- NRBs also remove 50–100% of pharmaceuticals and personal care products from wastewater, addressing contaminants that traditional systems miss.
- The Center for Clean Water Technology is developing forward-thinking strategies like water reuse fertigation, urine nutrient recovery, and seaweed aquaculture to further clean and restore local waters.
Nature Shows the Way
Perhaps the most powerful message of the evening came from the success story of Shinnecock Bay. Over the past decade, targeted restoration has transformed the bay from a system plagued by algae and murky water into one of the healthiest estuaries on Long Island. Thanks to clam spawner sanctuaries and improved filtration, the bay now boasts:
- A 35-fold increase in hard clam landings
- A 30-fold increase in total clam populations
- A four-fold improvement in water clarity
- A return of eelgrass meadows vital for habitat and oxygen production
This recovery is living proof that when nitrogen inputs are reduced and natural systems are restored, the bay responds.
A Shared Responsibility
The energy in the room was undeniable. Residents, policymakers, and advocates came together not just to listen, but to learn and engage. Events like this reflect what Save The Great South Bay stands for: bridging science, community, and action to heal our waters.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Christopher Gobler for sharing his research and insight, and to everyone who joined us at The View for this important conversation. Thank you to our sponsors; Lessings Hospitality, NYSMEA, and Briggs Houston Photography. This event would not be possible without your support! Together, we’re proving that the future of the Great South Bay—and all South Shore waters—can still be bright, if we act now. Sign up for our email newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events and ways to get involved.