Grading of beach water quality released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 24) 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*).
Nineteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 15 as Fair (Grade 2) and five as Poor (Grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Repulse Bay Beach |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Shek O 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 |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Lower Cheung Sha Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Pui O Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Approach Beach | Golden Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Kadoorie Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Lido Beach |
| Casam Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
| Castle Peak Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach |
| Butterfly Beach |
*Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
Compared with the grading released last week, Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach, Chung Hom Kok Beach, Trio Beach and Turtle Cove Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Deep Water Bay Beach and Middle Bay Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2; Big Wave Bay Beach, Butterfly Beach and Silver Mine Bay Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3.
"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. 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.