The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 31) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).

     Five beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 29 as Fair (Grade 2) and six as Poor (Grade 3).

Grade 1 beaches are:

Hap Mun Bay Beach*	Lo So Shing Beach
Hung Shing Yeh Beach*	Tai Po Lung Mei Beach*
Kiu Tsui Beach

Grade 2 beaches are:

Anglers' Beach*	Lower Cheung Sha Beach
Butterfly Beach*	Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach*
Cafeteria New Beach	Middle Bay Beach
Cafeteria Old Beach	Pui O Beach*
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach*	Repulse Bay Beach*
Chung Hom Kok Beach	Shek O Beach*
Clear Water Bay First Beach	South Bay Beach*
Clear Water Bay Second Beach*	St. Stephen's Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach*	Stanley Main Beach*
Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach [Non-gazetted beach]	Ting Kau Beach*
Golden Beach*	Tong Fuk Beach
Hoi Mei Wan Beach	Trio Beach
Kadoorie Beach	Turtle Cove Beach
Kwun Yam Beach	Upper Cheung Sha Beach
Lido Beach*

Grade 3 beaches are:

Approach Beach	Castle Peak Beach
Big Wave Bay Beach*	Silver Mine Bay Beach*
Casam Beach*	Silverstrand Beach*

     Compared with the grading released last week, Pui O Beach has been upgraded from Grade 3 to Grade 2, and Silver Mine Bay Beach from Grade 4 to Grade 3. South Bay Beach, Tong Fuk Beach and Upper Cheung Sha Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.

     "The changes in beach water quality are generally within the normal range of natural fluctuation," 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 21 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from June 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: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which has no lifesaving service.

Ends/Friday, July 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:00

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