Mchunu: Work underway to clear hyacinth at Hartbeespoort Dam

The dam is suffering from a hyacinth and algae explosion, negatively impacting the water quality of the dam.  

"We are aware of the hyacinth at the dam and thus very concerned. It is for this reason that we have appointed our entity in North West, Magalies Water, for a period of three years to develop and implement a programme that will deal with the invasive plant and the algae that are infesting the dam," said Mchunu.

Hartbeespoort Dam marked its 100 years of existence in September this year.

The primary purpose of Hartbeespoort Dam is to provide water for irrigation.

Roughly 80% of water is used for irrigation, and the remainder is used for domestic consumption and compensation flows.

Mchunu spoke at the century celebration of the dam at the Oberon Eagle Waters Resort on Monday.

“Magalies Water has since developed a Bioremediation Plan comprising interventions which include the profiling and fingerprinting of problematic contaminants in the dam, removal of floating plants and debris from the dam to enhance the aesthetic value and allow for biogeochemical processes, as well as the implementation of the remediation technology to restore the dam's ecological services,” the minister said.

Mchunu said he is committed to ensuring the implementation of the Bioremediation Plan.

"I want to ascertain our commitment that we have indeed rolled up our sleeves to completely rehabilitate the dam. 

"We also want to thank the organisations that continue to help out in any way they can and continue to hold us accountable in the work that we have been brought in the office to do. We all have a responsibility to ensure that the county's water infrastructure is safeguarded.

"I would therefore like to encourage all civil society organisations to work together with us as we work towards rehabilitating the dam."

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