The trend of improving water quality since 1995 had been maintained at the gazetted beaches in Hong Kong in 2000. Among the 41 gazetted beaches, 21 were found to be in "Good" condition, 14 were "Fair" and 6 were "Poor" (Figure 5.1). No beach had the worst rank, "Very Poor". The percentage of gazetted beaches complying with the WQO is 85%, which is the highest record over the past 15 years. All the 9 non-gazetted beaches monitored also complied with the WQO (Figure 5.2).

As in 1999, except the six Tsuen Wan beaches, all other gazetted beaches had either "Good" or "Fair" water quality and complied with the WQO. Although the total rainfall recorded during the bathing season in 2000 was higher than that in 1999, there was only slight increase in the E. coli levels in beach water due to the rainfall effect. Compared with 1999, only the rank of Clear Water Bay Second Beach had been changed, but the change was statistically insignificant.

Figure 5.1	Ranking of gazetted beaches in 2000

Figure 5.2	Ranking of non-gazetted beaches in 2000

Southern District

In general, beaches on the south of Hong Kong Island have "Good" water quality. The three beaches on the east of Hong Kong Island, namely Big Wave Bay, Rocky Bay and Shek O had "Fair" water quality. Since septic tank and soakaway pit systems are still used in the hinterland of these three beaches, they are more susceptible to pollution caused by heavy rainfall.

Sai Kung District

Except the Silverstrand and Clear Water Bay Second beaches which were ranked "Fair", all other beaches in Sai Kung had "Good" water quality in 2000. Although most of the houses in Sai Kung are unsewered, the general water quality of all Sai Kung beaches could always comply with the WQO. Even for the Silverstrand Beach which has a lot of septic tanks, soakaway pit systems and private sewage treatment plants in the hinterland, its water quality has seldom deteriorated beyond "Fair". This is mainly contributed by the efforts of EPD in arousing the environmental awareness of villagers to carry out regular maintenance of their sewage treatment systems and in enforcing the law to stop illegal discharges in the beach hinterland.

Islands District

All the beaches in the Islands District had complied with the WQO in 2000. Only one beach, the Silvermine Bay Beach was ranked "Fair", while all other beaches in the Islands District had "Good" water quality. As there are many septic tank and soakaway pit systems located close to the Wang Tong Stream and River Silver, pollutants could be easily flushed out from these systems by rain into the Silvermine Bay causing transient deterioration of water quality at the beach.

Tuen Mun District

The general water quality of all the beaches in the Tuen Mun District had significant improvement in the last three years. The annual ranks of all Tuen Mun beaches had changed from "Poor" before 1998 to the current "Fair" status. In 2000, this trend of improvement of water quality has been maintained and all Tuen Mun beaches could meet the WQO.

Tsuen Wan District

The water quality of the beaches in Tsuen Wan is comparatively worse than that in other districts. In 2000, six out of the eight beaches were ranked "Poor" and two were "Fair". The general water quality of the Tsuen Wan beaches has improved since 1997, and the water quality of Ting Kau, Approach and Anglers' beaches has improved from the "Very Poor" rank to "Poor" rank. The improving trend is due to the concerted efforts of enforcement by EPD and the completion of sewerage work in the Tsuen Wan town area. It is envisaged that with the completion of the planned improvement works and provision of sewerage in the beach hinterland in 2005, the water quality of the Tsuen Wan beaches will improve further.

Approach Beach	1997