Grading of beach water quality released
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Fifteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 21 as Fair (Grade 2) and two as Poor (Grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Shek O Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach | South Bay Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach | St Stephen's Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Stanley Main Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Trio Beach |
| Lower Cheung Sha Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Repulse Bay Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach | Discovery Bay |
| Approach Beach | Golden Beach |
| Butterfly Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Kadoorie Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Lido Beach |
| Casam Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
| Castle Peak Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Pui O Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
Compared with the grading released last week, Chung Hom Kok Beach, Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Shek O Beach, Stanley Main Beach and Trio Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Approach Beach, Hoi Mei Wan Beach and Ting Kau Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Big Wave 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," 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. The 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 and www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
Ends/Friday, August 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:06
Issued at HKT 17:06
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