‘Lettuce’ chokes Banana Beach
The invasive alien plant has literally choked and depleted the estuary of its oxygen after another sewage spill.
WATER lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) has ‘invaded’ Banana Beach once again and now Ugu District Municipality is considering relocating its sewage treatment plant.
Last Thursday, beachgoers spotted dead fish floating in the Koshwana River, which was covered with the dreaded plant.
Ugu District Municipality discovered that the Melville water treatment works had experienced pump failure, resulting in sewage spilling into the river.
“Various attempts have been made to have the growth of the water lettuce controlled and removed,” said Ugu spokesman, France Zama.
“Recent inspections have also revealed that there are no more dead fish.”
A site visit was conducted by the municipality together with Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Environmental Affairs and it was discovered that the treatment works was on a flood plain.
Long term plans were being considered which included the relocation of the plant.
Meanwhile, the municipality was taking urgent remedial measures to counter health hazards and negative environmental impacts on the eco-system.
Water lettuce has very thick green leaves and can be found in rivers and dams, occasionally forming large dense mats. Scientifically known as Pistia stratiotes, it clogs waterways, affecting wildlife, birds, waterbirds and fish by blocking sunlight, reducing oxygen levels and even altering animal patterns by their blocking access to the water. It also makes boating, fishing and almost all other water activities impossible.
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