Grading of beach water quality released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (April 4) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay*).
Thirty-two beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and seven as Fair (Grade 2).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Approach Beach | Lo So Shing Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
| Casam Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Pui O Beach |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Repulse Bay Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Shek O Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach | South Bay Beach |
| Discovery Bay | St Stephen's Beach |
| Golden Beach | Stanley Main Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Trio Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Lido Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Kadoorie Beach |
| Butterfly Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
| Castle Peak Beach |
* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
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 website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.