The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 29) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 beaches.
 
     Thirteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 24 as Fair (Grade 2) and two as Poor (Grade 3).

Grade 1 beaches are:

Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach     South Bay Beach
Chung Hom Kok Beach                St Stephen's 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                            Hoi Mei Wan Beach
Approach Beach                          Kadoorie Beach
Big Wave Bay Beach                    Lido Beach
Cafeteria New Beach                    Lower Cheung Sha Beach
Cafeteria Old Beach                     Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach
Casam Beach                              Middle Bay Beach
Castle Peak Beach                       Pui O Beach
Clear Water Bay First Beach         Repulse Bay Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach     Shek O Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach                Silver Mine Bay Beach
* Discovery Bay                          Silverstrand Beach
Golden Beach                              Stanley Main Beach

Grade 3 beaches are:

Butterfly Beach                           Ting Kau Beach

     The beach with an asterisk is a non-gazetted beach. All gazetted beaches are 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, St Stephen's Beach, Trio Beach and Turtle Cove Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Clear Water Bay Second Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Stanley Main Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2. Since its last grading (Grade 4) earlier this week, Middle Bay Beach has been upgraded to Grade 2.

      "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," the EPD spokesman said.

     "For Middle Bay Beach, we observed temporary deterioration of water quality. The latest samples taken show that the water quality of the beach has improved. Our investigation did not find any specific pollution sources, and we will continue to monitor the beach regularly."

     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, July 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:00

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