Gas Leak Odor Turns Out To Be Algae Bloom Smell From Nearby Lake

YORKTOWN, NY — Reports of a strong smell of natural gas have kept fire officials busy, but the odor has a surprising source.

Since Sunday, the Mohegan Fire Department has responded to more than 15 calls about odors of gas, primarily in the area surrounding Mohegan Lake.

The Mohegan Fire Department and Con Edison have spent countless hours investigating both along the natural gas service area (Rt. 6 corridor) and in the hamlet of Mohegan Lake where there are no natural gas services.

After thorough investigations of metering by the Mohegan Fire Department and Con Edison using handheld meters and "sniffer vehicles," no readings indicating a gas have been found. But, after interviewing those reporting the strong smell of rotten eggs, often associated with a natural gas leak, public safety officials determined that a large blue-green algae bloom has formed on Mohegan Lake and the lake outlet into wetlands behind Route 6 has been causing the odor.

Although the Mohegan Fire Department and Con Edison found and fixed three minor leaks (natural gas and propane gas) unrelated to the reports, the contributing factor in each of the calls reporting possible gas leaks has been determined to be the algae bloom.

The bloom appears to have caused the rotten egg odor which has been particularly strong in close proximity to the water. It has also been found to be traveling to nearby areas depending on the wind direction.

The source of the alarming odor doesn't mean neighbors should ignore telltale signs of a gas leak.

"At this time, we are unsure how long this will be occurring for, " Mohegan officials said in a statement posted on social media. "Although this is the cause, if anybody does smell gas, please don’t hesitate and call 911 so that we can investigate to confirm that there is no gas leak."