Press Release

Press Release

Grading of beach water quality released

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 1) released the latest grading of 11 beaches on Hong Kong Island and two beaches in the New Territories, which are open to the public.

Since the bathing season for other beaches in the New Territories will commence on April 1, they are still closed to swimmers.

"Among them, 12 beaches are found to be in 'Good' condition (Grade 1) and one is 'Fair' (Grade 2)," a spokesman for the EPD said.

'Grade 1' beaches are:

The 'Grade 2' beach is Big Wave Bay.

All these beaches are installed with shark prevention nets.

"Beach grades are released every week before the weekend in order to provide timely information for weekend beach-goers.

"The latest beach grading is also available from the EPD homepage at http://www.info.gov.hk/epd/ or the EPD's beach hotline at 2511 6666," he added.

Under the grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water.

The beach grading is calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

"Grade 4" would also be given to a beach when its last E. coli reading exceeds a high figure irrespective of the geometric mean.

The spokesman said: "At present, five gazetted beaches, namely Anglers', Approach, Ting Kau, Castle Peak and Rocky Bay, are closed to swimmers all year round because of their poor water quality or lack of beach facilities. The public are advised not to swim at these closed beaches."

In general, many beaches are likely to be more polluted than the beach 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.

The public are also advised to avoid swimming at "Grade 4" beaches as far as possible until the water quality there has improved.

End/Friday, March 1, 2002