Ministers address concerns over chemical use in Vaal River plant invasion
The ministers of Environment and Water and Sanitation have agreed to look into the use of glyphosate to address Vaal River invasive plants.
In a statement, the Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, and Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu have noted public concerns related to the use of chemical, glyphosate, to clear alien invasive plants from the Vaal River by Rand Water.
Water lettuce is a poisonous and highly invasive free-floating freshwater weed that is normally found in lakes, dams, ponds, irrigation channels and slow-moving waterways in tropical, sub-tropical, and warmer regions.
Following the complaints aired by the public, the two ministers and other relevant parties met and agreed to determine whether the clearing methods are in line with the regulatory environment and to devise a plan that ensures that the clearing of the alien invasive plants is done in a manner that poses no harm to the environment.
Once that process is concluded, the Departments will issue a further statement on the way forward.
LISTEN: Explainer: Ridding the Vaal River of water lettuce
Rand Water also announced the release of insects to attack the leaves of the invasive plant.
The water board earlier said it would use approved and permitted herbicides that will be released into the water under the guidance of senior and qualified Rand Water officials.
It further said the introduction of chemical control was a short-term intervention that would be followed by non-chemical medium and long-term interventions.
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