Grading of beach water quality released

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     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 3) 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*).   
   
     Eighteen beaches were rated as good (grade 1) and 21 as fair (grade 2).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:  
     

Chung Hom Kok Beach Pui O Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach Repulse Bay Beach
Discovery Bay Shek O Beach
Hap Mun Bay Beach South Bay Beach
Hung Shing Yeh Beach St Stephen's Beach
Kiu Tsui Beach Stanley Main Beach
Kwun Yam Beach Tong Fuk Beach
Lo So Shing Beach Trio Beach
Lower Cheung Sha Beach Upper 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 Lido Beach
Cafeteria New Beach Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach
Cafeteria Old Beach Middle Bay Beach
Casam Beach Silver Mine Bay Beach
Castle Peak Beach Silverstrand Beach
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach Ting Kau Beach
Clear Water Bay First Beach Turtle Cove Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach  

 
* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Shek O Beach has been upgraded from grade 2 to grade 1; Castle Peak Beach from grade 3 to grade 2. Cafeteria New Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Lido Beach, Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach, Middle Bay Beach and Turtle Cove 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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