Government accused of misleading claims on seawater hygiene
Official figures indicate water at site of planned man-made Lung Mei beach is 'very poor'
Campaigners fighting plans to build a man-made beach at Tolo Harbour say official data shows the water in the area is still unfit for swimming.
An indication of the actual situation came to light only after they put pressure on the government to release the hidden figures behind its announcement last month that tests showed "an improving trend".
The data, collected at three spots along the existing natural Lung Mei beach between 2010 and January shows that the concentration of E coli bacteria was 1,600 per 100 millilitres of water, which is considered "very poor" compared with a safe level of 180 per 100ml.
However, those figures indicate average water conditions over time, a measurement known as the geometric mean which evens out fluctuations.
Actual concentrations of E coli - which is associated with sewage and food poisoning - recorded at certain times were therefore likely to show even higher concentrations.
In another set of government figures handed over, the level is lowered to 180 by further evening out fluctuations.
