The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 16) released the latest grading of water quality for four beaches which are open all year round for swimming.
 
     Two beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), one as Fair (Grade 2) and one as Poor (Grade 3).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:
Deep Water Bay Beach
Golden Beach
 
Grade 2 beach is:
Clear Water Bay Second Beach
 
Grade 3 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.
 
     Under the 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, December 16, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:00

NNNN