Grading of beach water quality released

 

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (June 21) 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*).

Fifteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 11 as Fair (Grade 2) and 13 as Poor (Grade 3).

Grade 1 beaches are:

Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach
Chung Hom Kok Beach
Discovery Bay
Hap Mun Bay Beach
Hung Shing Yeh Beach
Kiu Tsui Beach
Kwun Yam Beach
Lo So Shing Beach

Repulse Bay Beach
South Bay Beach
St Stephen's Beach
Stanley Main Beach
Tong Fuk Beach
Trio Beach
Upper Cheung Sha Beach

Grade 2 beaches are:

Butterfly Beach
Cafeteria New Beach
Clear Water Bay First Beach
Golden Beach
Lower Cheung Sha Beach
Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach

Middle Bay Beach
Pui O Beach
Shek O Beach
Silverstrand Beach
Turtle Cove Beach
 

Grade 3 beaches are:

Anglers' Beach
Approach Beach
Big Wave Bay Beach**
Cafeteria Old Beach
Casam Beach
Castle Peak Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach

Deep Water Bay Beach
Hoi Mei Wan Beach
Kadoorie Beach
Lido Beach
Silver Mine Bay Beach
Ting Kau Beach

*: Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.

** Big Wave Bay Beach has been temporarily closed since June 4 due to the urgent works by Drainage Services Department at a nearby stream. The beach will be closed until further notice.

Compared with the grading released last week, Kwun Yam Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Graded 1; Butterfly Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2; Big Wave Bay Beach from Grade 4 to Grade 3. Cafeteria Old Beach, Castle Peak Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Kadoorie Beach and Silver Mine Bay Beach have been changed 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.

Ends/Friday, June 21, 2019

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