***************************************
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 28) released the latest grading of water quality for eight beaches. Other beaches have been closed to swimmers from November 1 for the winter season.
Seven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and one was rated as Fair (Grade 2).
Grade 1 beaches are:
Big Wave Bay Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach
Golden Beach
Middle Bay Beach
Repulse Bay Beach
Stanley Main Beach
Grade 2 beach is:
Silverstrand Beach
These are 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 and www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.
Noting that suspected red tides have recently affected three open beaches, namely Stanley Main Beach in Southern District and Clear Water Bay Second Beach and Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District, the EPD spokesman advised the public to check the latest updates 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, November 28, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:02
NNNN
