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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 17) released the latest grading of water quality for four beaches which are open all year round for swimming.
Three beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and one was rated as Fair (Grade 2).
The Grade 1 beaches are:
Clear Water Bay Second Beach Golden Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach
The Grade 2 beach is:
Silverstrand Beach
These are all gazetted beaches equipped with shark nets.
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 or www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach ) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
Compared with the grading released last week, Silverstrand Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to 2.
"The change is generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beach," an EPD spokesman said.
Noting that a suspected red tide has recently affected Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District, an EPD spokesman advised the public to check the latest update from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department before swimming.
Under our 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.
Grade 4 is assigned to beaches whose last E. coli reading exceeded a threshold figure, irrespective of the geometric mean. Swimmers are advised to avoid these beaches until the water quality improves.
People are advised not to swim at the closed beaches.
The EPD spokesman 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.
Ends/Friday, February 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:02
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