| FAQs
on Beach Water Quality
| Q.
|
What
are the differences between gazetted and non-gazetted beaches? |
| |
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| A.
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Gazetted beaches are beaches which have been announced in the
Government Gazette as bathing beaches and are managed by the
Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Non-gazetted
beaches are those which have not been announced as bathing beaches.
At present, the LCSD provides services and beach facilities
only at gazetted beaches (except closed gazetted beaches). These
include life guard and first-aid services, the collection of
refuse within the beach area, the provision and maintenance
of barbecue sites, toilets, showers and changing rooms, etc.
Such services and facilities are not provided at any non-gazetted
beaches by government departments. |
| Q.
|
Which
department decides on the opening and closing of beaches? What
role does EPD play in making such decision? |
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|
| A.
|
The Leisure
and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is responsible for
determining the opening and closing of gazetted beaches. The
decision is made with reference to the advice provided by EPD
on the suitability of beach water quality for bathing purposes
and the consideration of all other factors. Generally, a beach
will be closed if it is ranked "Very Poor" repeatedly. |
| Q.
|
What
is the difference between the rank and grade of a beach ? |
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| A.
|
The beach rank is determined by calculating the geometric mean
of the E. coli counts of all the
samples collected during the bathing season of the year. It
indicates the annual beach water quality status and provides
the information on the long term water quality trend of a beach.
In contrast, the beach grade is determined on the basis of the
geometric mean of the E. coli counts in
the five most recent sampling occasions and the last reading.
It indicates the updated beach water quality status and provides
information on the recent water quality trend of a beach. |
| Q.
|
How
did we establish the Water Quality Objective for bathing water
in Hong Kong ? |
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|
| A.
|
The current Water Quality Objective (WQO) for bathing water
in Hong Kong was established on the basis of the results of
several epidemiological studies carried out in collaboration
with the local academics in the late 1980s. These epidemiological
studies had been designed and conducted according to the guidelines
and recommendations of the World Health Organisation. The WQO
of Hong Kong was set at a geometric mean E. coli
level of 180 per 100mL. This level was the threshold found in
the local studies above which a significantly higher rate of
swimming-associated illness symptom was observed. |
| Q.
|
What
are faecal indicators ? |
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| A.
|
Faecal
indicators are groups of microorganisms used to indicate the
extent of faecal pollution. The presence of a large quantity
of faecal indicators usually suggests the possible presence
of some disease-causing microorganisms.
The most
commonly used and internationally accepted indicator bacterium
in water pollution monitoring is Escherichia coli (E.
coli). E. coli is present
in large number inside the gastrointestinal tracts of all
warm-blooded animals including humans, and in their excreta.
Thus, the level of E. coli can reflect
to what extent a body of water is polluted by faecal matter.
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