Grading of beach water quality released

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (October 9) released the latest grading of water quality of 39 beaches.

Seventeen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 21 were rated as Fair (Grade 2) and 1 was rated as Poor (Grade 3).

Grade 2 beaches are: 

Grade 3 beach is: 

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. 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, Lower Cheung Sha Beach and St. Stephen's Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1; Butterfly Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Since their last grading (Grade 4) earlier this week, Discovery Bay Beach, Kwun Yam Beach and Silver Mine Bay Beach have been upgraded to Grade 2; while Cafeteria Old Beach 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.

“For Cafeteria Old Beach, Discovery Bay, Kwun Yam Beach and Silver Mine Bay Beach, we observed temporary deterioration of water quality, which was largely due to heavy rain. The latest samples taken show that the water quality of the beaches has improved. We will continue to monitor the beaches regularly.”

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.