NEW ROCHELLE – As environmental groups and agencies look for ways to clean up Long Island Sound, they’re turning to local residents now more than ever, experts say.
Peter Linderoth, Water Quality Program Manager, spoke to about 10 local residents about how they can get involved.
Westchester’s portion of the Sound, called Eastern Narrows, received a "C-" grade, or 70 percent.
The group will compare annual statistics over five- to 10-year periods, Linderoth said, because data doesn’t change much year-to-year.
The program is a boots on the ground — or in the water — initiative that groups scientists, community groups, volunteers and regulating agencies together to study the waters in local bays and harbors.
Linderoth said public and private sewage and stormwater pipes are a major cause of pollution, particularly in older towns and cities such as New Rochelle.
Leanne Bloom, digital marketing specialist at Save the Sound, said reducing water usage is a way to help preserve pipes from forming cracks or bursting.
However, he warned that an abundance of menhaden, or bunker fish, which the whales chased into Westchester waters last year, are at high-risk if pollution levels remain high in local waters.
“(Menhaden) can be very susceptible to pollution as well, especially oxygen levels," he said.
Here are more tips from Save the Sound for reducing water pollution: Learn more about Save the Sounds programs, or donate to its efforts, here.