Heading out of New York City to go to the beach may not mean you're in for a cleaner day in the water. 

According to a recent study out of Stony Brook University, water surrounding parts of the city is actually cleaner than the water in some areas of Long Island. Researchers say they tested water for oxygen, salt content, pH levels, phytoplankton and algae. 

They found more algae blooms on the South Shore of Long Island than in Jamaica Bay or the western Long Island Sound. Crews also discovered excess nitrogen in Southampton water, which they say is caused by the overuse of farm and lawn fertilizer. 

Water testing will continue into the fall.