Grading of beach water quality released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 2) released the latest grading of water quality for six gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming.
Four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), and two as Fair (Grade 2).
Grade 1 beaches are:
Clear Water Bay Second Beach
Golden Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach
Silverstrand Beach
Grade 2 beaches are:
Casam Beach
Lido Beach
Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.
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, an 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).
Photo source: epd.gov.hk
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department releases review results report on CLP Power Hong Kong Limited's power supply system
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (January 2) released the review results report on CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP)'s power supply system. The report has been uploaded to the following website: www.emsd.gov.hk/filemanager/ReviewResultsReport(Eng).pdf.
Under the supervision of the Steering Committee on Review of CLP's Power Supply System, comprising local experts and scholars, the EMSD has completed the review and submitted the report to the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB). The review comprehensively analysed the causes of all incidents of power supply interruptions and voltage dips of CLP from 2021 to June 2024. Targeting the existing condition of CLP's power supply system, the review results report proposed five action objectives, formulated 11 action strategies, and put forward43 recommendations based on the said action objectives.
The EEB will work with the EMSD to closely monitor CLP's implementation of the recommendations in the review results report, particularly on fostering CLP to establish a more proactive maintenance culture, with a view to further enhancing the stability and reliability of CLP's power supply system and reducing the likelihood and impacts of power incidents in the future.
The spokesperson for the EEB said, "The Government attaches great importance to the power companies' abilities to maintain a safe and reliable power system. In light of the multiple power incidents that occurred with CLP in the first half of 2024, the EEB requested the EMSD to conduct a comprehensive review of CLP's power supply system and make targeted recommendations. These recommendations should be focused on reducing power supply interruptions and voltage dips, as well as minimising the impact of such incidents on the public. The EEB deeply appreciates the relentless efforts of the Steering Committee led by Mr Kelvin Lo and their professional advice tendered for the review."
Under the supervision of the EMSD, CLP had started to implement some of the improvement measures before completion of the review. Measures include using the Intelligent Management System Grid-V to detect risks in the vicinity of power supply equipment, installing additional lightning protection systems, and adding floodgates or flood protection facilities at more critical substations. The number of CLP's large-scale power interruption incidents affecting over 2 000 households in 2025 were reduced by half year-on-year, and CLP's power supply system remained generally intact during the passage of Super Typhoon Ragasa and Typhoon Wipha when Hurricane Signals No. 10 were issued.
As regards the power interruption incident that occurred in Kowloon City during the afternoon of December 18, 2025, CLP activated interconnectors to allocate backup power and conducted remote operations, restoring supply to over 70 per cent of affected customers within four minutes, which proved that the recommendation "to increase the number of interconnectors in the urban distribution network" in the review report may effectively reduce the scope and duration of incident impacts on customers. CLP, in accordance with the newly established service pledge, dispatched a maintenance team to the site within 22 minutes after the incident to conduct a power outage inspection.
To ensure that CLP fully and systematically implements the recommendations of the report, thereby further enhancing the stability and reliability of its power supply system, CLP has established an action plan timetable per the Government's request. The five action objectives and their recommendations in the review results report mainly include:
(1)Reduce incidents of power supply interruptions and voltage dips
expedite the digitisation of equipment maintenance;
conduct tests on high-risk underground circuits;
proactively collaborate and follow up with road excavation contractors; and
improve the lightning protection systems of power stations.
(2)Alleviate the impact of power supply interruptions and voltage dips on customers
increase the number of interconnectors in the urban distribution network to strengthen mutual backup ability;
formulate a joint crisis response drill plan with major public service providers; and
strengthen incident response drills with property management companies.
(3)Expedite power restoration after power supply interruption incidents
optimise the incident handling and power restoration workflows; and
increase flexibility in deploying temporary power supply sources and improve standard operating procedures for mobile generator deployment.
(4)Leverage innovative technologies for maintenance and monitoring of equipment conditions
extend the application of the Intelligent Management System Grid-V;
uplift construction site activity monitoring by deploying AI-powered cameras to reduce the risk of third-party damage to transmission and distribution cables; and
leverage smart meter and data analytics of advanced metering infrastructure to reduce low voltage power incidents.
(5)Promote a more proactive maintenance culture comprehensively
explore the feasibility of establishing an independent material sampling and testing mechanism for quality assurance; and
establish comprehensive communication channels with contractors to enhance contract management.
Source: AI-found images
