Grading of beach water quality released
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Fourteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 15 as Fair (Grade 2), nine as Poor (Grade 3) and one as Very Poor (Grade 4).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Repulse Bay Beach |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | South Bay Beach |
| Discovery Bay | St Stephen's Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach | Stanley Main Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Trio Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Cafeteria New Beach | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Castle Peak Beach | Pui O Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Shek O Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach |
| Golden Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
| Kadoorie Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Approach Beach | Lido Beach |
| Butterfly Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
| Casam Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach |
Grade 4 beach is:
| Big Wave Bay Beach** |
* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
** Big Wave Bay Beach has been temporarily closed since June 4 due to urgent works by the Drainage Services Department at a nearby stream and the very poor (Grade 4) water quality measured by the EPD. The beach will be closed until further notice.
Compared with the grading released last week, Stanley Main Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Silver Mine Bay Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Kwun Yam Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2, and Deep Water Bay Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3.
"Big Wave Bay Beach has been rated as Very Poor (Grade 4) since June 5, which was largely due to the recent unsteady weather and frequent heavy rain. The changes in other beaches 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 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 department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
Ends/Friday, June 14, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:00
Issued at HKT 17:00
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