Twenty-two beaches have been rated 'good' in the Environmental Protection Department's latest water quality gradings.

Ten other beaches are 'fair' and one is 'very poor'.

Repulse Bay Beach's rating has been lowered from 'good' to 'fair', which the department said is within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beach.

It also believes that the poor water quality of Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach is due to heavy rain which flushed pollutants from the unsewered beach hinterland into the water.

Meanwhile, 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.