The Ekurhuleni metro had begun mechanically removing the hyacinth at the Middle and Kleinfontein lakes.
According to Zweli Dlamini, spokesperson for the metro, as temperatures get warmer, regular herbicide spraying will be introduced at Homestead, Middle, Civic and Kleinfontein lakes.
He explained that the maintenance of water hyacinth does not require a once-off intervention.
“Methods that will be employed are mechanical removal as well as herbicide spraying.
“At a later stage, biological agents will be introduced to keep the hyacinth cover under control,” Dlamini explained.
The City Times, along with Ward 73 councillor Sinethemba Matiwane, recently visited Kleinfontein Lake, where heaps of hyacinth that had been removed from the water had been placed on the bank.
Matiwane said that he is happy to see that the hyacinth is being removed; however, the mechanical method can only reach limited parts of the lake and suggested that the watermaster machine should be brought in to reach all parts of the lake.
Dlamini highlighted that the hyacinth will be left to dry on the shoreline.
“As soon as the plant has sufficiently dried, it will be spread on the shoreline as a fertiliser.
“Transporting of water hyacinth is discouraged as this is one form of how the plant is transferred to other water bodies.”
Community members are encouraged to assist the metro by monitoring where they see significant hyacinth growth and contacting the call centre on 0860 543 000.
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