Grading of beach water quality released
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Eleven beaches were rated as good (grade 1), 21 as fair (grade 2) and six as poor (grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | South Bay Beach |
| Discovery Bay | St Stephen's Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Trio Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Repulse Bay Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach | Kwun Yam Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Lido Beach |
| Casam Beach | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Castle Peak Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Pui O Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Shek O Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
| Golden Beach | Stanley Main Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Kadoorie Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Approach Beach | Cafeteria Old Beach |
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Butterfly Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
Compared with the grading released last week, Chung Hom Kok Beach and Tong Fuk Beach have been upgraded from grade 2 to grade 1; Casam Beach, Castle Peak Beach, Golden Beach and Lido Beach from grade 3 to grade 2. Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Stanley Main Beach have been changed from grade 1 to grade 2.
"The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," the 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.
The EPD spokesman also warned that many beaches were likely to be more polluted than their 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.
A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. Latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's websites on Beach Water Quality (www.beachwq.gov.hk or www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
Ends/Friday, July 28, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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