Grading of beach water quality released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (August 3) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches and one non-gazetted beach (Discovery Bay) that are open for swimming.
Twenty-two beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 15 as Fair (Grade 2) and two as Poor (Grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Cafeteria New Beach | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Pui O Beach |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Repulse Bay Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach | South Bay Beach |
| Golden Beach | St Stephen's Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach | Stanley Main Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Trio Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Approach Beach | Kadoorie Beach |
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Lido Beach |
| Butterfly Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
| Casam Beach | Shek O Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
| Discovery Bay |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Castle Peak Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
Compared with the grading released last week, Cafeteria New Beach, Cafeteria Old Beach, Middle Bay Beach and Stanley Main Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Casam Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2.
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, an 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 websites on Beach Water Quality (www.beachwq.gov.hk and www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.