The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 12) 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*).
Fourteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 18 as Fair (Grade 2) and seven as Poor (Grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Lo So Shing Beach |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Repulse Bay Beach |
| Discovery Bay | St Stephen's Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach | Stanley Main Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Trio Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach | Kadoorie Beach |
| Approach Beach | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Butterfly Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Castle Peak Beach | Pui O Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Shek O Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach | South Bay Beach |
| Golden Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Lido Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach |
| Casam Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
| Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
*: Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
Compared with the grading released last week, Kwun Yam Beach, St Stephen's Beach and Turtle Cove Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1; Anglers' Beach, Approach Beach, Kadoorie Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2.
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.
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