The Community Cleanliness Index for Hong Kong was 103 in November, improving on August's 101.5 figure, the Home Affairs Department says.

For individual districts, 15 recorded 100 or higher, showing that hygiene has either improved or been maintained. Compared with August, nine districts improved. Sham Shui Po and Sha Tin improved most with the former up from 93.1 to 110.3 and the latter rising from 91.3 to 102.7.

Cleanliness of lane ways showed the greatest improvement, up from 95 to 104.3. Public housing estates also rose from 103 to 104.3, while private buildings grew from 101.2 to 102.9. Indices of other venue types remained stable.

The index is not a score on absolute cleanliness, but reflects how a district's environmental hygiene changes over time. It cannot be used to state that some areas cleaner than others.

Quarterly checks

Some 170 raters participated in the November round of assessment at 302 venues. The first round was conducted in May and the result is translated to a base period index of 100. Subsequent surveys are conducted every three months and a new set of indices is calculated by comparing results of the current assessments with those of the base period.

The department said the purpose is to measure the cleanliness of Hong Kong in an objective way and on a regular basis. It is hoped periodic announcement of the index will enhance public awareness of environmental hygiene and encourage greater community participation.

The department reiterated environmental improvements need to be sustained and District Officers will continue to work closely with District Clean Hong Kong Committees, the community and relevant departments to keep Hong Kong Clean.