The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (October 18) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
Twenty-nine beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), and 11 as Fair (Grade 2).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Cafeteria New Beach | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach* |
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach* | Middle Bay Beach* |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Repulse Bay Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach* | Shek O Beach* |
| Deep Water Bay Beach* | Silver Mine Bay Beach* |
| Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach | South Bay Beach* |
| Golden Beach* | St Stephen's Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach* | Stanley Main Beach* |
| Hoi Mei Wan Beach* | Tai Po Lung Mei Beach* |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach* | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Kadoorie Beach* | Trio Beach* |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach* | Clear Water Bay Second Beach* |
| Approach Beach* | Lido Beach* |
| Big Wave Bay Beach* | Pui O Beach* |
| Butterfly Beach* | Silverstrand Beach* |
| Casam Beach* | Ting Kau Beach* |
| Castle Peak Beach |
Compared with the grading released last week, Cafeteria New Beach and Clear Water Bay First Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Anglers' Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach and Ting Kau 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 EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast). Moreover, the EPD will cease support to the Beach Water Quality Forecast mobile application with effect from November 1, with a view to prioritising resources to maintain and enhance the dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast.
Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 27 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from September 1. 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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