The Environmental Protection Department has rated water quality at three beaches 'good'.

They are Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Deep Water Bay Beach and Silverstrand Beach.

Compared with last week's grading, Golden Beach's water quality has been downgraded from 'good' to 'fair'. According to the department, the change is generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beach.

The four beaches are open all year round while other beaches are closed for swimming during the winter season.

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.

People are advised not to swim at the closed beaches.

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.