Grading of beach water quality released

Press Release

Grading of beach water quality released

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 23) released the latest grading of water quality of eight beaches open for swimming. Other beaches have been closed to swimmers from November 1, 2012 for the winter season.

Six beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and two were rated as Fair (Grade 2).

Grade 1 beaches are: 

Grade 2 beaches are:

These are all gazetted beaches equipped with shark nets.

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 websites on Beach Water Quality (www.beachwq.gov.hk or 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.

Silverstrand Beach has been upgraded to Grade 2 since its last grading (Grade 4) this Thursday (November 22).

"We observed temporary deterioration of water quality of Silverstrand Beach after the rain. The latest samples taken show that the water quality of the beach has resumed normal." 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.

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, November 23, 2012