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The water quality of all of Hong Kong's gazetted beaches has met the required standard for bathing for six consecutive years since 2010, indicating a continuous improvement in the water quality of local beaches, according to the latest report by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).
In 2015, 25 (or 61 per cent) of the 41 gazetted beaches were ranked as "Good" and the remaining 16 (or 39 per cent) as "Fair". As in 2014, full compliance with the bacteriological Water Quality Objective (WQO) for bathing waters was maintained.
An EPD spokesman said, "The percentage of beaches complying with the WQO improved from 63 per cent in 1997 to 100 per cent in 2010 (all 41 beaches), and the improvement has been sustained since."
"These improvements are the result of continuous efforts of the Government to implement pollution abatement measures over the past years, including the enforcement of environmental laws, together with the implementation of sewerage infrastructure projects such as the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme and the extension of the sewerage network to the beach hinterland".
"The EPD will maintain close monitoring of all bathing beaches to ensure that this achievement is sustained and that beach water quality can continue to meet the WQO," the spokesman added.
The 2015 beach water quality report can be found at the EPD's websites (www.beachwq.gov.hk and www.epd.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, April 1, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:16
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