‘Sewage pollution the prime cause of Vaal’s water lettuce infestation’
"These noxious weeds thrive on high nutrient levels in the water, deplete oxygen, and cause harm to aquatic life, tourism, job creation, the property market, and further hit the local economy."
In their February newsletter, Save the Vaal Environment (Save) attributed the prime cause of the water lettuce and hyacinth infestation carpeting vast areas of the Vaal River, to the high levels of sewage pollution from dysfunctional wastewater systems. The organisation has fought the pollution of the Vaal River for the past 20 years.
Describing the water lettuce and hyacinth on the Vaal as a national crisis, Save said these noxious weeds thrive on high nutrient levels in the water, deplete oxygen, and cause harm to aquatic life, tourism, job creation, the property market, and further hit the local economy.
Save, and other stakeholders alerted the Department of Water and Sanitation, and Rand Water to the start of the problem in 2021.
“The biological process started in 2021 and was abandoned,” read the newsletter. In early January 2024, water lettuce reappeared in abundance. “There was a slow reaction from the authorities to the extent that Save deemed it necessary to notify the authorities of Save’s intention to make an urgent application to the high court. Thanks to Rand Water’s speedy response the Save committee pended its application.
They applauded the Vaal River community for rising to fight water lettuce and hyacinth, giving their time, boats, labour, equipment and financial support to physically remove the weeds.
Save wrote the organisation has continued to focus on its litigation process against the Ministers of Water and Sanitation, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to deal urgently with the cause of the water lettuce infestation, i.e. the ongoing flow or raw/partially treated sewage from the Emfuleni Waste Water system. “The contents of affidavits and attachments received from the Minister concerning action plans and progress to date in dealing with the sewage inflow caused by the Emfuleni Waste Water Treatment system, did not meet the requirements of the Court Order.
Therefore, Save applied for case management. Deputy Judge President Sutherland chaired the meeting followed by correspondence from Save’s legal team to the respondents’ attorneys, with a schedule setting out the information required. Save is now awaiting a reply. If Save is dissatisfied with this response, it may apply for the matter to be enrolled for a hearing.” was said.
Vaal River Rats SA also posted the following today, Thursday 22 February
UNITED WORK FORCE FOR WATER LETTUCE
