Hyacinth is rapidly spreading in the Bronkhorstspruit River and Bronkhorstpruit Dam

Planthoppers (Megamelus Scutellaris), known as superbugs, were recently released into the Bronkhorstspruit River, a few kilometres from Delmas.

With the help of Skyhorse Aviation, volunteers released the insects into the river at the highest point where water hyacinth was found.

This was done to tackle the invasive plants from another angle – at the source of the ever-growing water hyacinth problem in the Bronkhorstspruit Dam.

Water hyacinth has been invading the Bronkhorstspruit Dam for years, but has now reached an all-time high.

According to Paddy Waller, director of the Bronkhorstspruit Catchment Management Forum (BCMF), the hyacinth in the dam now spans about 250ha. The dam is now 35% covered by this aquatic plant native to South America.

According to experts, dysfunctional wastewater treatment plants at Delmas and surrounding areas are causing untreated sewage to be discharged into the river, which ends up in the dam.

Warmer water and ambient temperature are further causes of more rapid growth and the spreading of hyacinth in the dam and rivers.

“Repairs to the treatment plants have been ineffective and we cannot rely on it. Building and rehabilitating wetlands as natural water filters and new oxygenation solutions are our best chance of reducing the nutrients coming into the dam,” said Waller.

The water hyacinth is considered invasive worldwide because of its rapid growth that can form thick layers over the water.

Waller reiterated the hyacinth situation is now much worse.

“The community spends large sums of money combatting it since the government is slow to get sufficiently involved.

“Stakeholders within the catchment area are joining forces to combat the pollution happening in the rivers, which is also the primary cause for the hyacinth growth,” said Waller.

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