The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (April 26) released the latest grading of water quality of 38 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay*).
Twenty-three beaches were rated as good (grade 1), 15 as fair (grade 2) and one as poor (grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
Cafeteria New Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
Chung Hom Kok Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Pui O Beach |
Deep Water Bay Beach | Repulse Bay Beach |
Discovery Bay | South Bay Beach |
Hap Mun Bay Beach | St Stephen's Beach |
Hung Shing Yeh Beach | Stanley Main Beach |
Kiu Tsui Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
Kwun Yam Beach | Trio Beach |
Lido Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
Lo So Shing Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
Anglers' Beach | Golden Beach |
Approach Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
Big Wave Bay Beach | Kadoorie Beach |
Butterfly Beach | Shek O Beach |
Cafeteria Old Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach |
Casam Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
Clear Water Bay First Beach |
Grade 3 beach is:
Castle Peak Beach |
*Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
Compared with the grading released last week, Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach, Golden Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Shek O Beach, Silver Mine Bay Beach and Silverstrand 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 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 storm or heavy rainfall.
A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. 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.
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