Grading of beach water quality released
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.