The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 26) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1 to 3) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 4).
 
     Nineteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 19 as Fair (Grade 2) and two as Poor (Grade 3).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:          

Cafeteria New Beach	Lower Cheung Sha Beach
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach*	Repulse Bay Beach*
Chung Hom Kok Beach	Shek O Beach*
Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach [Non-gazetted beach]	South Bay Beach*
Golden Beach*	St. Stephen's Beach
Hap Mun Bay Beach*	Stanley Main Beach*
Hung Shing Yeh Beach*	Tong Fuk Beach
Kiu Tsui Beach	Turtle Cove Beach
Kwun Yam Beach	Upper Cheung Sha Beach
Lo So Shing Beach

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

Approach Beach*	Kadoorie Beach*
Big Wave Bay Beach*	Lido Beach*
Butterfly Beach*	Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach*
Cafeteria Old Beach	Middle Bay Beach*
Casam Beach*	Pui O Beach*
Castle Peak Beach	Silver Mine Bay Beach*
Clear Water Bay First Beach*	Silverstrand Beach*
Clear Water Bay Second Beach*	Trio Beach*
Deep Water Bay Beach*	Tai Po Lung Mei Beach*
Hoi Mei Wan Beach*

 
Grade 3 beaches are:

Anglers' Beach*

Ting Kau Beach*

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Cafeteria Old Beach has 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," an EPD spokesman said.
 
     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.
 
     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 tropical cyclone 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 EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.  Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).
 
Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 27 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from September 1. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).
 
Note 2: Due to damages brought about by Super Typhoon Ragasa, some beaches are temporarily closed for clearance and urgent repair works until further notice. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's press releases (www.lcsd.gov.hk/clpss/en/webApp/News.do).
 
Note 3: The Drainage Services Department announced that emergency repair works for a sewage rising main near Deep Water Bay Beach and Repulse Bay Beach is being carried out from September 25. The quality of the nearby waters will potentially be affected. Members of the public are advised not to swim at these beaches or the nearby waters to protect public health.
 
Note 4: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which has no lifesaving service.

Ends/Friday, September 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:07

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