Press Releases

Press Releases - 2000

Grading of beach water quality released

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 10) released the latest grading of beaches in the urban district to inform the public about the water quality of these beaches.

Since the bathing season for the beaches in the New Territories has ended on October 31, these beaches are closed to swimmers.

"Among the 11 beaches in the urban district, 10 beaches are found to be in 'Good' condition (Grade 1), and one is 'Poor' (Grade 3)," a spokesman for the EPD said.

"Grade 1" beaches are:

Chung Hom Kok
Deep Water Bay
Hairpin
Middle Bay
Repulse Bay
Shek O
South Bay
St. Stephen's
Stanley Main
Turtle Cove

The "Grade 3" beach is Big Wave Bay.

All these beaches have been installed with shark prevention nets.

"Comparing with the grading released last week, there is no change in the grading for all the 11 beaches in the urban district," the spokesman said.

"During the bathing season, beach grades will be released every week before the weekend in order to provide timely information for the weekend beach-goers.

"The latest beach grading is also available from the EPD homepage at http://www.info.gov.hk/epd/ or the EPD's beach hotline at 2511 6666," he added.

Under the grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water.

The beach grading is calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli count on the five most recent sampling occasions.

As introduced from the last bathing season, "Grade 4" would also be given to a beach when its last E. coli reading exceeds a high figure irrespective of the geometric mean.

The spokesman said: "At present, Rocky Bay Beach is closed to swimmers for the whole bathing season because of lack of beach facilities.

"The public are advised not to swim at closed beaches."

In general, many beaches are likely to be more polluted than the beach grades suggested during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.

The public are also advised to avoid swimming at the "Grade 4" beaches as far as possible until the water quality has improved.

End/Friday, November 10, 2000

 

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