Rand Water to release insects to treat toxic water lettuce in Vaal River

Weevils and hoppers have been released into the river as part of the initiatives to try and slow down the fast spreading of the highly invasive and free floating water lettuce.

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.

In a statement, the water board says weevils and hoppers are insects that will assist in eating the water lettuce.

"As part of the Rand Water integrated programme of approved General Authorization (GA) for Rand Water to halt the fast spread of water lettuce in the Vaal River, Rand Water will release weevils and hoppers into the Vaal River. 

"In addition, there will be a modest application of approved and permitted herbicides that will be released into the water under the guidance of senior and qualified Rand Water officials. The introduction of chemical control is a short-term intervention and will be followed by non-chemical medium and long-term interventions."

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