Grading of beach water quality released
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Seventeen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 17 as Fair (Grade 2) and five as Poor (Grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach | Repulse Bay Beach |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | South Bay Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | St Stephen's Beach |
| Discovery Bay | Stanley Main Beach |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach | Trio Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Kwun Yam Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Anglers' Beach | Lido Beach |
| Butterfly Beach | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Casam Beach | Pui O Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Shek O Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
| Golden Beach | Ting Kau Beach |
| Kadoorie Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
| Approach Beach | Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach |
| Castle Peak Beach |
* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
Compared with the grading released last week, South Bay Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Silver Mine Bay Beach from Grade 4 to Grade 3. Castle Peak Beach has been changed from Grade 2 to Grade 3.
"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 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 storm 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 department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
Ends/Friday, August 9, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:00
Issued at HKT 17:00
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