The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 7) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay, see Note 2).
Twenty-nine beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), nine as Fair (Grade 2) and one as Poor (Grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
|
Approach Beach |
Kwun Yam Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
|
Anglers' Beach |
Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach* |
Grade 3 beach is:
|
Lido Beach* |
Compared with the grading released last week, Butterfly Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Anglers’ Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Casam Beach, Middle Bay Beach, Silver Mine Bay Beach and Stanley Main Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2; and Lido Beach 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, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), 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.
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 EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
Note 1: The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has resumed lifeguard services at 16 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk above, from April 16.
Note 2: Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
Ends/Friday, May 7, 2021
