The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 30) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay, see Note 2).
Thirteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 20 as Fair (Grade 2), five as Poor (Grade 3) and one as Very Poor (Grade 4).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Shek O Beach |
| Discovery Bay | South Bay Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach | St Stephen's Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Repulse Bay Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Butterfly Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Kadoorie Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Kiu Tsui Beach |
| Casam Beach | Lido Beach |
| Castle Peak Beach | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Pui O Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach | Stanley Main Beach |
| Golden Beach | Trio Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
| Approach Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
| Big Wave Bay Beach |
Grade 4 beach is:
| Silverstrand Beach |
"Compared with the grading released last week, Silverstrand Beach has been changed from Grade 2 to Grade 4. The deterioration of water quality at Silverstrand Beach was largely due to the recent unsteady weather and frequent heavy rain," an EPD spokesman said.
Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), 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.
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 EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
Note 1: In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced on July 13 that all beaches would be temporarily closed from July 15 until further notice.
Note 2: Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
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