The Vaal River has been officially reopened following months of efforts by officials to remove invasive aquatic weeds and water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) that had overrun the Vaal River Barrage Reservoir earlier this year.
The reopening coincided with the start of the boating season on Sunday.
Leslie Hoy, the Vaal River project manager, expressed his team’s delight at reducing the coverage of water lettuce and water hyacinth—previously a significant problem affecting the entire Vaal River Barrage community—to less than one hectare.
“Eventually in winter it was possible to see clear water and for the majority of the water body to be free of free-floating invasive species. This was achieved through the support of various stakeholders, starting with the Vaal River community, Rand Water, Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and others.
“The scourge of water lettuce and water hyacinth fuelled by relentlessly high levels of polluted water in the catchment of the Vaal River,” Hoy said.
The DWS will continue to monitor critical areas, support municipalities, and take legal action as needed.
An Anti-Pollution Forum, led by Deputy Minister Isaac Seitlholo, will convene on September 18 to support an integrated plan aimed at restoring the river’s health, enhancing biodiversity, and creating a cleaner environment for communities and businesses.
Rand Water, appointed and funded by DWS, will implement a proactive and preventative program to ensure the Vaal River Barrage reservoir does not face similar levels of invasive weed coverage in the future, he said.
Additionally, Hoy disclosed that the entity is currently in the process of issuing several requests for quotation for specialised work on the Vaal River Barrage. These tasks are part of a preventative action plan aimed at reducing regrowth and significantly limiting the spread of invasive species.
“These activities link into the integrated approach as agreed to earlier this year. These activities include physical removal, chemical control and biocontrol.”
“Where feasible curtaining will again be used to collect and abstract plants sooner than later. However, it is envisaged to be partial curtaining of the water ways as was the case earlier this year. It is hoped that some this work will be able to commence in September 2024.”
With the support of Rhodes University’s Centre for Biological Control (CBC), three community rearing stations and one at Rand Water have been established to cultivate various biological control agents (weevils and hoppers). These agents, which are host-specific feeders, have all received pre-approval.
“Biological control will be used as a long term and ongoing natural control mechanism that will need to be supplemented annually,” the project manager added.
The community around the Vaal River had continuously played an enormous role in the process of reducing the spread, curbing the growth curve and rallying together.
This has come at a huge personal and financial cost to the community, according to Hoy.
He said this commitment and partnership was expected to commended sooner.
“The flotilla event on the Vaal River Barrage is three fold. Firstly, to resurrect an annual event that occurred on the Vaal River Barrage to celebrate the opening of the spring and summer boating season; and secondly, to celebrate the river clean of water lettuce and water hyacinth; and finally, to claw back the losses that were incurred to the many businesses along the Vaal River Barrage that rely on and make a living through their direct contact and involvement on the barrage.
This celebration is a tribute to the successful close working relationship between the Vaal River Community, Rand Water, DWS, Rhodes University, the Centre for Biological Control, Afriforum, Omnia and SAVE (Save the Vaal Environment) and FEDHASA.
Going forward, the DWS has appointed Rand Water as the official Implementing agent to ensure that the Vaal River Barrage reservoir never experiences what it went through earlier this year and has allocated R42 million over the next three years, along with a comprehensive proactive preventative programme,” he explained.
“The template for this successful collaboration of the private sector with government entities in the successful removal of invasive aquatic weed – can hopefully be emulated at many other water sources in South Africa, who face this similar challenge.
“Today’s (Sunday) celebration is significant – since not only is it an occasion to celebrate this successful collaboration between government, private sector and the community, but it is tourism month too – and the successful removal of the invasive aquatic weed is a significant boost for the rich tourism offerings along the Vaal River, which include dozens of river venues, resorts, hotels, casino, lodges, boat, fishing and golf clubs, water taxis, house boats, cruising restaurants, and luxury commercial cruisers,” said Hoy.
The Star