KZN Aquatic Weeds Working Group

29/08/2026

Blue marker dye is mixed directly into herbicide solutions during foliar spraying of aquatic w**ds to provide an immediate visual indicator of treated areas.

Key PurposesAccuracy:

Applicators can clearly see which leaves and w**ds have been covered, preventing costly skips or overlapping applications.

Efficiency:

It reduces chemical waste by showing exactly where work is finished, which lowers overall chemical usage and environmental impact.

Safety & Accountability:

Bright coloring highlights accidental drift or spills on non-target surfaces, equipment, or skin, and provides a temporary visual record of the completed work.

08/08/2026

Aquatic w**d management using floating containment booms and targeted spraying is an integrated strategy to control invasive plants like water hyacinth, duckw**d, and sargassum. Booms physically corral and stop fragmentation or downstream drift, while boat-mounted or shoreline sprayers apply approved aquatic herbicides to manage dense mats safely.

14/07/2026

The "Amanzi Champs" (often in conjunction with uMngeni-uThukela Water, Msinsi Holdings, and local partners like DUCT) utilize an integrated aquatic w**d management approach to control invasive species like water hyacinth at Inanda Dam. Their workings rely on physical barriers, manual removal, biological controls, and chemical treatments

08/03/2026

07/03/2026

Aquatic w**d spraying involves applying specialized, aquatic-registered herbicides to manage, control, or eradicate invasive plants in water bodies like dams, lakes, and ponds. Effective, safe control requires identifying the w**d, using appropriate herbicides (e.g., glyphosate for emergent, fluridone for submerged), and often requires a licensed applicator for large-scale operations to protect water quality.

07/03/2026

Aquatic w**d management is a labor-intensive, often full-time, and continuous job due to the rapid growth of invasive species, the need for environmental balance, and the requirement for constant monitoring. It is rarely a one-time fix, requiring an integrated approach that includes mechanical removal, biological control agents (like insects), and herbicide application throughout the year, especially during warmer months.

17/01/2026

Managing aquatic w**ds on-site is a highly difficult, labor-intensive, and often dangerous task due to the rapid growth rates of invasive species, challenging terrain, and the need to maintain ecological balance. On-site teams must navigate significant operational, safety, and logistical hurdles to control species like water hyacinth, Kariba w**d, and parrot's feather.

17/01/2026

Warm summer months fuel aquatic w**d proliferation through increased water temperatures boosting plant metabolism, longer daylight hours enhancing photosynthesis, and abundant sunlight enabling deeper pe*******on for growth, all leading to rapid growth and spread, especially with nutrient-rich conditions, causing issues like oxygen depletion and ecosystem imbalance.

16/12/2025

Aquatic w**d control uses a mix of preventive, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods to manage unwanted plant growth in water bodies, with the most effective approach being an integrated plan tailored to the specific w**d, water use, and ecosystem goals, often involving methods like grass carp (biological), herbicides (chemical), raking (mechanical), or proper Dam construction (preventive).