Protecting clean water takes a community, and we're excited to welcome a new partner to that effort.
This summer, Yacht Hampton has generously opened its doors to host a new Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) laboratory for the Eastern Long Island Chapter, strengthening our ability to monitor water quality across Eastern Long Island.
The Blue Water Task Force is Surfrider's volunteer-led water quality monitoring program, providing timely information that helps keep our communities informed about the health of the waters where we surf, swim, paddle, fish, and play. By testing for fecal indicator bacteria, the program fills critical gaps in government monitoring while helping to inform pollution solutions.
For more than a decade, the Eastern Long Island Chapter has partnered with organizations including Concerned Citizens of Montauk and Peconic Baykeeper to monitor over 77 sampling locations throughout the East End. Weekly testing during the busy summer season provides residents and visitors with reliable, science-based information about local waterways while supporting efforts to address pollution issues.
Hosting a BWTF laboratory requires dedicated space, reliable utilities, and a commitment to community science. Thanks to Yacht Hampton's generosity, our volunteers now have an additional location where water samples can be processed efficiently, helping us continue to deliver high-quality data during the summer and throughout the year.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to protecting the waters that define the East End. Healthy bays, harbors, and beaches benefit everyone—from boaters and anglers to surfers, swimmers, and the marine life that depends on clean water.
We are incredibly grateful to the Yacht Hampton team for supporting this important work and investing in the long-term health of our coastal environment.
See where the chapter is testing and check out their latest results here.
To learn more about the Eastern Long Island Chapter, visit their website at easternli.surfrider.org.
Brody joined Surfrider in 2025 as Chapter Manager for the Eastern Long Island Chapter, after getting his start with the organization as an intern in Summer 2024. He graduated from Pomona College in 2025 with a B.A. in Environmental Analysis & Economics.