Centerport's Yacht Club Beach reopens

  • 2015-07-27
On July 20, the Centerport Yacht Club Beach was once again open for swimming after health risks caused it to be closed for seven years.

East Northport residents will be happy to know that thanks to $4 million in funding from the state, the waters of Northport Bay are once again safe for swimming. The money was used by the Northport wastewater treatment plant to enact major upgrades. This meant that the nitrogen released from the plant fell from 19.4 pounds per day in 2010 to 7.5 pounds on average per day now.

In 2008, a temporary closure was ordered. Joe Morency, the former yacht club commodore, recalled the 100-page report he received from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services in 2009 and the 'frightening' conclusions it contained. In 2010, an order was issued to permanently close the beach until steps could be taken to ensure lower levels of bacteria.

Now, with the lower levels of nitrogen being released, the improved water quality means it is once again safe for everyone to go back into the water. However, it is not just the water at Centerport and Northport that has improved; the Northport Bay waters across the Northport and Huntington region are healthier as well.

Now that the water is once again safe, the Centerport Yacht Club will likely be looking for a flyer printing service to help spread the word.