Banana Beach river choked by weed
It is estimated that some 1.6ha needs clearing - no small or easy task.
Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) has once again invaded the waters of the Koshwana River in Banana Beach.
It is estimated that some 1.6ha needs clearing – no small or easy task.
ALSO READ : Mahlongwana River water lettuce crisis returns
The ongoing problem dates back to 2014, when according to previous Herald reports, this alien aquatic plant was linked to sewage spills.
There have been several site meetings involving conservancies, residents, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) and Ugu District Municipality.
RNM spokesman, Simon April, said the municipality was aware of the problem.
“Assistance has been sought from National Resource Management (NRM), a unit of the National Department of Environmental Affairs, to provide bio-control to kill this invasive aquatic plant.
“RNM has also engaged the services of Ugu which has assisted in closing off the river mouth and the placement of warning signs for the general public.
“As of now, RNM has a contracted team which can assist immediately in physically clearing the area which will bring about immediate relief, then later apply bio-control, which is a medium term solution.”
The question on everybody’s mind is why the river is not simply sprayed with herbicide.
This is not a viable option for three main reasons, say experts, first of which is that this would result in a lagoon full of dead vegetation which would also be problematic, especially as rotting vegetation removes oxygen from the water and this would effectively kill what little is left of the lagoon’s biodiversity.
Secondly, the cost of herbicide for the present volume of this aquatic plant would be sizeable; and lastly, unless the application was meticulous and comprehensive, the weed would simply grow back.
One expert believes that it is very likely that agricultural pollution is part of the problem as water lettuce also thrives on fertilisers.
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