The summer season brings with it increased water temperature levels and as such increases the presence of invasive water plants in water bodies.
Therefore, in addition to the Watermaster machine purchased by the City of Ekurhuleni almost 10 years ago, the City resolved to boost its water body maintenance equipment by investing in a 12-seater speedboat to efficiently and effectively attend to water bodies’ maintenance issues as and when required.
https://www.facebook.com/neil.thiart/videos/562177177546461/
“The speedboat is equipped with a 200-litre herbicide spraying unit designed to spray aquatic invasive plants such as water hyacinth, Mexican lilies, water grass and many others found in the water bodies and shorelines,” said Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the metro.
The invasive plants predominantly grow in Kleinfontein Dam, Middle Lake, Civic Lake and Homestead Dam in Benoni, Jan Smuts Dam in Brakpan, Murray Park Dam in Springs and Victoria Lake in Germiston.
In an effort to ensure efficient clearing of all the city’s water bodies, the city has employed the services of dedicated staff members comprising of seven wetland attendants and two Watermaster operators.
“As a long-term solution, the City is working on introducing biological methods such as beetles, weevils and indigenous fish species to control the growth of alien invasive plants in the water bodies,” said Gadebe.
