Grading of beach water quality released

Press Release

Grading of beach water quality released

The Environmental Protection Department today (November 13) released the latest grading of water quality of eight beaches open for swimming. Other beaches have been closed to swimmers from November 1, 2009 for the winter season.

Seven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and one was rated as Fair (Grade 2).

Grade 1 beaches are:

Big Wave Bay Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach
Golden Beach
Middle Bay Beach
Repulse Bay Beach
Stanley Main Beach

Grade 2 beach is:

Silverstrand Beach

A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. Latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's website on Beach Water Quality or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

Noting that red tides had affected a few beaches in Sai Kung and Southern District recently, the spokesman reminded the public to check the latest update from Leisure and Cultural Services Department before swimming.

Compared with the grading released last week, Big Wave Bay Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to 1.

"The change is generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beach," an EPD spokesman said.

Under our 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.

Seven gazetted beaches -- Anglers' Beach, Approach Beach, Casam Beach, Gemini Beaches, Hoi Mei Wan Beach, Lido Beach and Ting Kau Beach -- are closed to swimmers year round because of poor water quality.

People are advised not to swim at the closed beaches.

The 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, November 13, 2009