Hong Kong beach water quality grades unchanged, eight rated good
Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department released its weekly beach water quality grading. Eight beaches are rated good (Grade 1) and three are rated general (Grade 2), unchanged from the previous week. The department advises avoiding swimming within three days after heavy rain due to potentia
The Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced the latest beach water quality grades on 6 November, with eight beaches rated as good (Grade 1) and three rated as general (Grade 2). All grades remain unchanged from the previous week's assessment.
The EPD classifies beach water quality into four grades based on the geometric mean of Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels from the most recent five water samples: good (Grade 1), general (Grade 2), poor (Grade 3) and very poor (Grade 4). The grading system provides an overall indication of water quality under typical conditions.
An EPD spokesperson reminded the public that while beach grades reflect general water quality, conditions can be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Swimmers are advised to avoid swimming at beaches within three days following a storm or heavy rainfall.
The EPD publishes a weekly summary of beach grades before each weekend. Residents can access the latest beach water quality grades based on updated data on the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach_chi) or by calling the EPD beach water quality hotline at 2511 6666. Daily water quality forecasts for all beaches open to the public are also available on the EPD's beach water quality prediction webpage (www.epd.gov.hk/BWQForecast).
