The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 29) 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).
Sixteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 14 as Fair (Grade 2) and nine as Poor (Grade 3).
| Grade 1 beaches are: | |
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach* | Silverstrand Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach* | South Bay Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach* | St Stephen's Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach* | Stanley Main Beach* |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach* | Tai Po Lung Mei Beach* |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Trio Beach* |
| Repulse Bay Beach* | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Grade 2 beaches are: | |
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Golden Beach* |
| Butterfly Beach* | Kwun Yam Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach* |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Pui O Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Shek O Beach* |
| Discovery Bay | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Grade 3 beaches are: | |
| Approach Beach | Lido Beach* |
| Casam Beach* | Middle Bay Beach |
| Castle Peak Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach* |
| Hoi Mei Wan Beach | Ting Kau Beach* |
| Kadoorie Beach* | |
Compared with the grading released last week, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Deep Water Bay Beach, Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Tong Fuk Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Big Wave Bay Beach, Butterfly Beach, Cafeteria Old Beach, Golden Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Middle Bay Beach has 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, 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.
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 EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
Note 1: Lifeguard services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 20 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk above, from June 30.
Note 2: Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
Ends/Friday, July 29, 2022