The Mecox Bay Conservancy supports a wide range of projects designed to restore and protect the water quality of Mecox Bay and its tributaries. While MBC does not directly construct or implement these projects, we play an important role in making them happen by:
These projects are carried out by partner organizations including local governments, research institutions, and property owners, with MBC serving as a catalyst and supporter.
MBC believes that restoring Mecox Bay requires a combination of sound science, public investment, and community engagement. By supporting research, advocating for funding, helping secure grants, and contributing matching funds when possible, we help move promising ideas from concept to reality. Cleaner water will not result from a single project, but from many coordinated efforts implemented throughout the watershed over time.
Excess nitrogen from outdated septic systems is one of the largest contributors to poor water quality in the Mecox Bay watershed. MBC helps homeowners learn about innovative/alternative (I/A) septic technologies and assists in identifying grant opportunities that can substantially reduce installation costs.
Status: Ongoing
Partners: Homeowners, Southampton Town, Suffolk County, New York State
A new advanced wastewater treatment system has been approved for the Mecox Landing Condominium complex. Once installed, the system is expected to significantly reduce nitrogen entering nearby groundwater and surface waters.
Status: Approved
Partners: Mecox Landing Condominium, regulatory agencies
A roadside bioswale has been approved for Rose Hill Road to capture and naturally filter stormwater runoff before it reaches Mecox Bay. The project will help remove sediments, nutrients, and other pollutants from roadway drainage.
Status: Approved
Partners: Southampton Town Highway Department, Southampton Town
A pilot Permeable Reactive Barrier project is planned for Mill Pond to intercept groundwater containing elevated nitrogen before it enters the pond. The barrier uses specialized media to remove contaminants as groundwater flows through it.
Status: Pilot Project Approved
Partners: Researchers, funding agencies
MBC is supporting a demonstration project in Mill Pond using CyanoShark technology, an emerging approach designed to suppress harmful cyanobacterial blooms and improve water quality.
Status: Planned
Partners: Technology providers, researchers
MBC supports weekly monitoring throughout the bay and tributaries for bacterial contamination and harmful algal blooms. Data collected through this program help identify pollution hotspots, track trends, and guide future restoration efforts.
Monitoring Includes:
Status: Ongoing
Partners: Researchers and laboratory staff
New York State has approved a major stormwater abatement project along Route 27 adjacent to Hayground Cove. The project will reduce untreated roadway runoff entering the cove and ultimately Mecox Bay.
Status: Completed
Partners: New York State Department of Transportation
A comprehensive watershed study is underway to identify sources of contamination, evaluate restoration opportunities, and develop a science-based action plan for improving water quality throughout the watershed.
The study includes:
Status: Approved and Ongoing
Partners: Researchers, watershed specialists, funding agencies
A stormwater management project is under development for Flying Point Road to reduce polluted runoff reaching Mecox Bay.
Potential improvements may include green infrastructure practices designed to slow, capture, and treat stormwater.
Status: Under Development
Partners: Southampton Town Highway Department and engineering consultants
MBC is supporting a proposed aquaculture project in Hayground Cove that would use shellfish cultivation as a natural means of improving water quality by removing excess nutrients from the ecosystem.
Status: Grant Application Under Consideration
Partners: Researchers, aquaculture specialists, funding agencies
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