The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 22) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1 and 2) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 3).
Eighteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 19 as Fair (Grade 2), two as Poor (Grade 3) and one as Very Poor (Grade 4).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach* | Pui O Beach* |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Repulse Bay Beach* |
| Golden Beach* | Shek O Beach* |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach* | South Bay Beach* |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach* | St Stephen's Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach | Trio Beach* |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Middle Bay Beach* | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach* | Discovery Bay |
| Approach Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Big Wave Bay Beach* | Kadoorie Beach* |
| Butterfly Beach* | Lido Beach* |
| Cafeteria New Beach* | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Silverstrand Beach* |
| Casam Beach* | Stanley Main Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach* | Tai Po Lung Mei Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach* | Ting Kau Beach* |
| Deep Water Bay Beach* |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach* | Silver Mine Bay Beach* |
Grade 4 beach is:
| Castle Peak Beach |
Compared with the grading released last week, Golden Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Deep Water Bay Beach, Stanley Main Beach, and Tai Po Lung Mei Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2, and Silver Mine Bay Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3.
"The deterioration of water quality in Castle Peak Beach was largely due to the unstable weather in the past few weeks, and its recovery has been slower than other beaches due to its enclosed environment rendering natural flushing less effective," 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 tropical cyclone 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.
In line with the vision to develop Hong Kong into a smart city, the EPD launched the Beach Water Quality Forecast System on August 15 to provide daily water quality forecasts for all gazetted beaches in Hong Kong that are open for swimming, to supplement the existing beach water quality monitoring programme and further enhance services to the public (see Note 4). From now on, members of the public can obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches through the Beach Water Quality Forecast mobile application (available for download from: www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQApp) or the dedicated beach water quality forecast page (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast) on the EPD's beach thematic website.
Note 1: Lifeguard services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 26 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from September 1. Some gazetted beaches under the management of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department are temporarily closed due to inspection and clearance work of damages and miscellaneous articles caused by the extreme weather conditions. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/index.html).
Note 2: The Drainage Services Department announced that emergency repair works for a sewage rising main near Deep Water Bay Beach and Repulse Bay Beach is being carried out from September 20. The quality of the nearby waters will potentially be affected. Members of the public are advised not to swim at these beaches or the nearby waters to protect public health. For the press release, please visit www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202309/20/P2023092000661.htm.
Note 3: This refers to the non-gazetted beach in Discovery Bay which has no lifeguard service.
Note 4: The EPD launched the Beach Water Quality Forecast System on August 15, 2023. For the press release, please visit www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202308/15/P2023081400345.htm.
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