Advanced machine purchased to eradicate invasive hyacinth

A machine to rid Ekurhuleni’s dams and lakes of hyacinth was purchased in June to the value of R6.7-million.

According to City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe the machine can on average get rid of 120m² of hyacinth per hour.
The work to clean and remove the hyacinth is done through both insourcing and outsourcing.

“The adjudication to appoint the contractor is expected to be finalised mid-November,” said Gadebe.

Based on information received, the metro had been grappling with a lot of technical issues to eradicate hyacinth using the old machine.

However, when asked how the new equipment would change the situation, Gadebe explained: “The amphibious excavator has a long reach and can rotate 360 degrees, which makes it more efficient in terms of doing the work.

“The equipment also has local spares available as well as local technical skills.”

The Watermaster, said to have been heavily draining the public purse, is working at Presidents Dam in Springs.

The new machine started work at Blesbokspruit on September 29, and if all goes according to plan, the work will be completed by end of November.

Read: Hyacinth problem devours R1-m

The estimation costs incurred thus far to run the machine at the lake in question is R20 000.

This amount only covers lubricants and other maintenance costs.

It excludes salaries for the operator.

Residents have been complaining about hyacinth in other dams and lakes across the City.

According to the metro, both machines will be moved to the next dams where there are problems.

At the front of the queue is the Brakpan Dam.

“The problem of water hyacinth is widespread across the City,” said Gadebe..

“The plan is to use both machines with service providers to control the water hyacinth in various water bodies.

“As soon as work is completed in one water body, the machine will be moved to the next one.

“Due to the way water hyacinth proliferates, it is not very certain where next the machine will be deployed.

“However, the plan is to move to Brakpan Dam.”

The metro also recently bought a speedboat to help with hyacinth eradication, and is mainly used for herbicide spraying.
It is at the Benoni Parks Department.

The metro pointed out that it is also using chemicals (herbicide spraying) as an alternative hyacinth control method to clean the City’s dams and lakes.

This is done in partnership with the Department of Water and Sanitation, Department of Environmental Affairs, Gauteng Agricultural and Rural Development (GDARD) and Rhodes University.

The City is setting up a mass biological production facility.

This means a third method, known as biological control, will also be employed in the management of water hyacinth across the City.

Councillor for Ward 97 in Brakpan Brandon Pretorius welcomed the news of the machine coming to Brakpan.

Read: Verwydering van hiasinte gaan vir ewig duur

“After receiving confirmation from the City of Ekurhuleni, I am glad the continued pressure has, to a certain extent, paid off,” he said.

“I use the words certain extent because the fight is long from being over.

“We have now prioritised and the Brakpan Dam is next in line to receive the City’s complete attention and dedication.

“As the ward councillor, I welcome this decision, especially after millions have been spent in the previous financial years.

“We will keep residents informed and, within the coming month, have a detailed response from the department per the way forward and the action plan.

“We will ensure the administration is held accountable and ensure they do what should, which is to clean our dam.”

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