Water quality at 18 beaches has been rated 'good' for this weekend, by the Environmental Protection Department, with 12 'fair' and three 'poor'.

Water quality at Deep Water Bay Beach, Pui O Beach, Stanley Main Beach and Turtle Cove Beach was upgraded from fair to good while Big Wave Bay Beach, Butterfly Beach, Cafeteria New Beach and Cafeteria Old Beach rose from poor to fair. Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach rose from very poor to poor.

The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches.

Seven gazetted beaches - Anglers', Approach, Ting Kau, Casam, Gemini, Hoi Mei Wan and Lido - are closed to swimmers year round because of poor water quality. People should not swim at these beaches.

As many beaches are likely to be more polluted during and after heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.