The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 28) 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), eight as Fair (Grade 2) and two as Poor (Grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
Big Wave Bay Beach* |
Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
Approach Beach |
Discovery Bay |
Grade 3 beaches are:
Anglers' Beach |
Lido Beach* |
Compared with the grading released last week, Middle Bay Beach and Stanley Main Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Discovery Bay has 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 28, 2021