Water at 21 beaches has been rated "good" and 11 "fair", according to the Environmental Protection Department's latest grading of beach water quality.

The 21 "good" beaches are Cheung Chau Tung Wan, Middle Bay, Chung Hom Kok, Repulse Bay, Shek O, South Bay, Deep Water Bay, St. Stephen's, Hap Mun Bay, Stanley Main, Hung Shing Yeh, Tong Fuk, Kiu Tsui, Trio, Kwun Yam, Turtle Cove, Lo So Shing, Upper and Lower Cheung Sha, as well as Clear Water Bay First and Second Beaches.

Water at Big Wave Bay, Golden, Butterfly, Kadoorie, Cafeteria Old and New, Pui O, Silver Mine Bay, Castle Peak, Silverstrand Beaches and Discovery Bay have been rated "fair". Water at Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach has been rated "poor".

Compared with last week's grading week, Repulse Bay and Shek O Beaches have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Big Wave Bay and Pui O Beaches have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2, and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3. 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 must not swim at the closed beaches.

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

Beach grades are published weekly before the weekend. Questions? Click here or call 2511 6666.