Grading of beach water quality released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (June 6) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
Twenty-five beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 13 as Fair (Grade 2) and two as Poor (Grade 3).
Grade 1 beaches are:
Big Wave Bay Beach* |
Lo So Shing Beach |
Cafeteria New Beach |
Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
Cafeteria Old Beach |
Repulse Bay Beach* |
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach* |
Shek O Beach* |
Chung Hom Kok Beach |
South Bay Beach* |
Deep Water Bay Beach* |
St. Stephen's Beach |
Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach [Non-gazetted beach] |
Stanley Main Beach* |
Golden Beach* |
Tai Po Lung Mei Beach* |
Hap Mun Bay Beach* |
Tong Fuk Beach |
Hung Shing Yeh Beach* |
Trio Beach |
Kadoorie Beach |
Turtle Cove Beach |
Kiu Tsui Beach |
Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
Kwun Yam Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
Anglers' Beach* |
Lido Beach* |
Approach Beach |
Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach* |
Butterfly Beach* |
Middle Bay Beach |
Castle Peak Beach |
Pui O Beach* |
Clear Water Bay First Beach |
Silver Mine Bay Beach* |
Clear Water Bay Second Beach* |
Ting Kau Beach* |
Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
Casam Beach* |
Silverstrand Beach* |
Compared with the grading released last week, Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Tong Fuk Beach and Upper Cheung Sha Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Ting Kau Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Castle Peak Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
"The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," 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 EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).
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. 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 has no lifesaving service.
Notice on appointments to advisory and statutory bodies
A Government spokesman said today (January 12) that Mr Chan Kin-por recently sought approval from the Chief Executive to suspend his three public positions as appointed by the Chief Executive, until the completion of the work of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (Independent Committee). Mr Chan made this request to allow himself more time to dedicate to the work of the Independent Committee. After due consideration, the Chief Executive has agreed to and approved this request. The three public positions are: (1) Chairman of Independent Commission Against Corruption Advisory Committee on Corruption; (2) Non-executive Director of Urban Renewal Authority Board; and (3) Member of Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee.
On December 12, 2025, the Government established the Independent Committee to examine the causes of the incident and related issues, ascertain the facts, and make recommendations on preventing similar tragedies and on improvement measures. The Independent Committee is chaired by Mr Justice David Lok, with Mr Chan Kin-por and Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen serving as members. The Independent Committee held its first meeting on December 19 last year and aims to complete its work within nine months of commencing operations.
Mr Chan Kin-por wrote earlier to the Chief Executive, expressing his wish to suspend the aforementioned three public positions until the Independent Committee completes its work, in order to dedicate more time and focus to the Independent Committee's tasks. The Chief Executive has agreed to and approved the request.
A Government spokesperson said that since the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, both the Government and the wider community have been highly concerned about the causes of the incident and the follow-up work. The scope of the Independent Committee's work is extensive, particularly concerning systemic issues related to bid-rigging and connected interests. Given the numerous issues involved and their complex nature, the Government will fully co-operate with the Independent Committee to ensure that it can complete its work and compile its report within nine months. The Government extends its gratitude to Mr Chan for accepting the appointment as a member of the Independent Committee and for his professional and conscientious approach to the Committee's work. When the Independent Committee's work is completed, the Government looks forward to Mr Chan's continuous contribution through his aforementioned public positions.
Source: AI-found images
