The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (June 7) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
Thirteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 21 as Fair (Grade 2), five as Poor (Grade 3) and one as Very Poor (Grade 4).
| Grade 1 beaches are: | |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Repulse Bay Beach* |
| Deep Water Bay Beach* | South Bay Beach* |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach* | St. Stephen's Beach |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach* | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Lo So Shing Beach | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Middle Bay Beach | |
| Grade 2 beaches are: | |
| Anglers' Beach* | Kwun Yam Beach |
| Big Wave Bay Beach* | Lido Beach* |
| Butterfly Beach* | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Pui O Beach* |
| Casam Beach* | Shek O Beach* |
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach* | Silver Mine Bay Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Silverstrand Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach* | Stanley Main Beach* |
| Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach | Tai Po Lung Mei Beach* |
| Golden Beach* | Trio Beach |
| Hoi Mei Wan Beach | |
| Grade 3 beaches are: | |
| Approach Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach* |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Ting Kau Beach* |
| Kadoorie Beach | |
| Grade 4 beach is: | |
| Castle Peak Beach | |
Compared with the grading released last week, Anglers' Beach has been upgraded from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Lower Cheung Sha Beach and Silver Mine Bay Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2, and Castle Peak Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 4.
“We observed water quality deterioration at Castle Peak Beach, which was largely due to the recent prolonged unstable weather. We will continue to closely monitor the beach water quality,” an EPD spokesman said.
Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), 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.
While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
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 EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the Beach Water Quality Forecast mobile application (available for download from: www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQApp) or the dedicated beach water quality forecast page (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast) on the EPD's beach thematic website.
Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 21 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from June 1. Due to the damage caused to the footpaths leading to Chung Hom Kok Beach by landslides, the beach is temporarily closed until further notice. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).
Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which is a non-gazetted beach that has no lifesaving service.
Ends/Friday, June 7, 2024