The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 31) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay*).
Fifteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 14 as Fair (Grade 2), nine as Poor (Grade 3) and one as Very Poor (Grade 4).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Repulse Bay Beach |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Shek O Beach |
| Discovery Bay | South Bay Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach | St Stephen's Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach | Stanley Main Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Pui O Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Cafeteria New Beach | Kadoorie Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Kiu Tsui Beach |
| Castle Peak Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach | Trio Beach |
| Golden Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Approach Beach | Lido Beach |
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
| Butterfly Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach |
| Casam Beach |
Grade 4 beach is:
Lower Cheung Sha Beach
* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
Compared with the grading released last week, Kiu Tsui Beach, Trio Beach and Turtle Cove Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2; Approach Beach, Casam Beach, Lido Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3; and Lower Cheung Sha Beach from Grade 1 to Grade 4.
"The deterioration of water quality at Lower Cheung Sha Beach was due to the heavy rain on May 28, while the changes in the other beaches are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
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