The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 7) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
Thirteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 20 as Fair (Grade 2) and seven as Poor (Grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach* | Shek O Beach* |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | South Bay Beach* |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach* | St Stephen's Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach* | Tai Po Lung Mei Beach* |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Big Wave Bay Beach* | Kadoorie Beach* |
| Butterfly Beach* | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Pui O Beach* |
| Castle Peak Beach | Repulse Bay Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach* | Silverstrand Beach* |
| Discovery Bay | Stanley Main Beach* |
| Deep Water Bay Beach* | Trio Beach |
| Golden Beach* | Turtle Cove Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach* | Lido Beach* |
| Approach Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach* |
| Casam Beach* | Ting Kau Beach* |
| Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
Compared with the grading released last week, Deep Water Bay Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Approach Beach from Grade 4 to Grade 3. Cafeteria Old Beach, Golden Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach and Turtle Cove Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2, and Ting Kau Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3.
"The changes 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, 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.
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 EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
Note 1: Lifeguard services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 22 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from May 1.
Note 2: The non-gazetted beach is Discovery Bay which has no lifeguard service.
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