The Environmental Protection Department has rated water quality at 10 beaches 'good', 17 'fair', and six 'poor' for this weekend.

Compared with the grading released last week, Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Stanley Main Beach and Tong Fuk Beach have been upgraded from 'fair' to 'good', and Big Wave Bay Beach and Golden Beach from 'poor' to 'fair'.

Kwun Yam Beach was downgraded from 'good' to 'fair' while Butterfly Beach and Castle Peak Beach were deteriorated from 'fair' to 'poor'.

The department said the changes in grading are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches.

Seven gazetted beaches - Anglers' Beach, Approach Beach, Ting Kau Beach, Casam Beach, Gemini Beaches, Hoi Mei Wan Beach and Lido Beach - are closed to swimmers year round because of poor water quality.

Many beaches are likely to be more polluted than their grades suggest during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.

For updates on beach water quality, click here  or call the beach hotline, 2511 6666.