There is now a task team to tackle the Vaal River System, Senzo Mchunu, Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation, announced this week.
This is after concerns were raised about water hyacinth taking over the water, in one of South Africa’s most important dams.
The River supplies water to the economic heartland of South Africa.
According to the Water Research Commission, the water from the Vaal River, supplies water to important industries in South Africa situated around Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Minister Senzo Mchunu and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy established the technical Task Team during the week, led by the Directors General and the Chief Executive Officer of Rand Water, following public concerns relating to the use of Glyphosate on the water lettuce in the Vaal River.
The Task Team identified immediate short- and long-term interventions with clear outcomes to manage the situation.
Short-term interventions include the revision of herbicide that is registered with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
In the medium term, compliance and enforcement interventions will be intensified against the sources of pollution which are driving this situation, the Department said in a statement.
In the long-term the Vaal River Catchment Strategy relating to invasive alien aquatic species will be reviewed in order to implement a strategy that will holistically address the situation.
Efforts will also focus on the refurbishment of the Rietspruit, Sebokeng and Leeukuil Wastewater Treatment Works, will be fast tracked to reduce pollution that is also contributing to the high eutrophication of the Vaal River System.
Look out for more in an upcoming supplement titled “Water Feature.”
Picture: VUT Research