“Hyacinth build-ups on Benoni’s lakes will always be a problem and we will never get rid of it, but we can maintain it,” says Derek Dingwall who is a member of the local Hyacinth Watch.
The Hyacinth Watch is a group of volunteers from the community who remove hyacinth build-ups on Homestead Dam.
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Dingwall and Peter Clayton (both members of the Hyacinth Watch) invited the City Times to view Homestead Dam from a different angle, a motor-boat ride view on the dam on April 10.
The pair, with other volunteers such as the Benoni Sailing Club, The St Dunstan’s Rowing Club and the Benoni Scouts and Cubs have committed to clearing the hyacinth off the dam.
“The heat and quality of the water are major contributing factors to the growth of the hyacinth,” explained Dingwall, who added that the weed thrived in sewerage.
“The hyacinth is basically clumps of the weed that stick together and form islands that then cover the surface area of the water.
“My theory of how the hyacinth sprouted is that people, more than 15 years ago, threw their hyacinth plants into the water bodies.
“The plant germinates very easily and grows at rapid rates, depending on the conditions it is placed in.
“On Homestead we also have water lillies around the hyacinth which adds to the task of removing it from the water bodies.
“At times we had islands of it as big as football fields.
“The wind carries it across the water bodies and each time it flowers, seeds fall into the water itself.
“It’s possible over a million seeds now sit in this water and they will germinate.
“There is no way to completely get rid of hyacinth, it can only be maintained.
“This is a massive health and safety concern.
“If a child, for example, falls into the water near the hyacinth, the weeds will open as the child falls in and then close up immediately and not reopen.
“You cannot see the sunlight or find a way out, so in effect it will swallow the child up.
“In order to maintain it, workers need to be on the dams five days a week, every week.
“There is also a certain way for it to be removed.
“You have to take it out of the water and leave it out to dry in the sun for three to four months, as it mostly consists of water, and then transport it with a truck to a dry dump, the closest of which is in Brakpan.
“We as the people maintain it and make a plan to try and clear the dam up as much as possible.
While the initiative is viewed as commendable by Benonians who hold onto the town’s title of “Jewel of the East Rand”, Ward 23 Clr and Shadow MMC Environmental Development Alderman André du Plessis says there are legislative and health and safety implications to contend with in regard to hyacinth removal.
“This is an environmental legislation matter,” explained du Plessis.
“If you want to work on any water body you need a water-use licence and this can only be supplied by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD).
“When issued with the licence there are recommendations and regulations that accompany the licence that must be adhered to.
“Another implication is, of course, the health and safety aspect of it.
“If while clearing the hyacinth a person gets cut with a broken piece of glass that is floating in the water then they will have no one to hold accountable for it and the injuries vary and could be far greater than just a cut.
“I do welcome public participation initiatives but these things have to be done the right way.
“You have to link up with the relevant authorities before getting involved.
“Those who wish to get involved are welcome to phone me and I can then advise them on which channels to follow.
“You can also ask your local councillor for more information.”
Du Plessis’ contact number is 083 655 8187 or he can be emailed on [email protected].
Dingwall and Clayton said they acknowledged the risks but added to date, and from what they are aware of, no incidents from cleaning the hyacinth have occurred.
The Ekurhuleni metro provided the following update regarding the lakes in Benoni:
Kleinfontein Dam
There has been a significant amount of water hyacinth cleared since the work started in November 2018.
However, there still remains an estimated seven per cent part of the area that still needs to be cleared.
The bulk of the infestation observed since the last progress report has been removed.
Middle lake
The work of clearing water hyacinth at the Middle lake started in January.
The Watermaster managed to clear both water hyacinth and water lilies next to the dam wall.
A service provider joined the team in March to remove the hyacinth and water lilies to speed up the clearing.
Homestead Dam
Homestead dam is one of the water bodies impacted by both water hyacinth and water lilies.
Some clearing work was undertaken last year.
As soon as the Middle lake is cleared, the Watermaster will be moved to the Homestead dam.
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