Grading of beach water quality released
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     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (June 19) 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). 

     Thirteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 15 as Fair (Grade 2) and 11 as Poor (Grade 3).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:         
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach* Shek O Beach*
Hung Shing Yeh Beach* South Bay Beach
Kwun Yam Beach St Stephen's Beach
Lo So Shing Beach Stanley Main Beach*
Lower Cheung Sha Beach Trio Beach**
Middle Bay Beach Upper Cheung Sha Beach
Repulse Bay Beach*  
 
Grade 2 beaches are:
Big Wave Bay Beach** Kiu Tsui Beach
Cafeteria New Beach** Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach*
Chung Hom Kok Beach Pui O Beach*
Clear Water Bay First Beach Silver Mine Bay Beach*
Clear Water Bay Second Beach* Silverstrand Beach**
Deep Water Bay Beach* Tong Fuk Beach
Discovery Bay Turtle Cove Beach
Hap Mun Bay Beach*  

Grade 3 beaches are:
Anglers' Beach Golden Beach*
Approach Beach Hoi Mei Wan Beach
Butterfly Beach* Kadoorie Beach
Cafeteria Old Beach Lido Beach*
Casam Beach* Ting Kau Beach**
Castle Peak Beach**  

     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.

     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: The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that 15 gazetted beaches (marked with a single asterisk above) and six gazetted beaches (marked with two asterisks above) have reopened since May 23 and June 13, respectively, while all the other beaches will remain temporarily closed until further notice.

Note 2: Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.

Ends/Friday, June 19, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:00

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