PICTURES: Water and Sanitation probing dead fish at Hartbeespoort Dam
The Department of Water and Sanitation and the Sefako Makgatho Health Science University have launched an investigation into the deaths of thousands of fish at Hartbeespoort Dam in North West.
Thousand of fish were found floating near Ifafi at the Aquatic Club on Tuesday.
Casper Kruger of the Hartbeespoort Optimum Fisheries and Research, who was amongst the first respondents on the scene, says a lack of oxygen, overstocking of the fish, and bad water coming into the dam are to blame.
He confirmed the meeting with the department on Thursday, saying the parties are now on the same page regarding the investigation.
Water and Sanitation spokesperson Wisane Mavasa says some fish which were still alive were removed and relocated to an off-site dam where they recovered.
"Regarding the problem of hyacinth growth at the dam, the department recently appointed its entity, Magalies Water, to develop a resource management and remediation plan for Hartbeespoort Dam.
"The aim is to address the poor water quality in the upstream catchment of the dam which leads to the pollution of the dam as well as to minimise and control the algae and hyacinths that compromise water quality and use of the dam," says Mavasa.
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