The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 31) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
Fifteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 18 as Fair (Grade 2) and seven as Poor (Grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Repulse Bay Beach* |
| Deep Water Bay Beach* | Silver Mine Bay Beach* |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach* | South Bay Beach* |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach* | St. Stephen's Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Lower Cheung Sha Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Middle Bay Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Big Wave Bay Beach* | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Butterfly Beach* | Kwun Yam Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Lido Beach* |
| Casam Beach* | Pui O Beach* |
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach* | Shek O Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Silverstrand Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach* | Stanley Main Beach* |
| Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach | Tai Po Lung Mei Beach* |
| Golden Beach* | Trio Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach* | Kadoorie Beach* |
| Approach Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach* |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Ting Kau Beach* |
| Castle Peak Beach |
Compared with the grading released last week, Golden Beach, Hoi Mei Wan Beach and Lido Beach have been upgraded from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Clear Water Bay Second Beach and Stanley Main Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
"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 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. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming 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: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 22 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from April 1. Due to the damage caused to the footpaths leading to Chung Hom Kok Beach by landslides, the beach is temporarily closed until further notice. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).
Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which is a non-gazetted beach that has no lifesaving service.
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