THE Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is investigating the cause of the mass deaths of fish at the Hartbeespoort dam in the North West.
Ifafi Aquatic Club members were left shocked after discovering fish floating dead and dying among the hyacinth (plant) close to the shore on Tuesday, 11 April.
It happened on the Hartbeespoort dam near Ifafi, at the Ifafi Aquatic Club and the Schoemansville Oewer.
The department said they are working with the Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (Medunsa) to examine and analyse samples at the dam to determine the cause of the deaths.
Speaking to Daily Sun, DA shadow minister of water and sanitation Leon Basson said they suspect a shortage of oxygen in the water due to hyacinth (plant) coverage as the cause.
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“It was believed to be caused by a lack of sunlight reaching the aquatic plants. These plants produce oxygen which then dissolves in the water for aquatic organisms to breathe,” said Basson.
As a result, they installed an aerator, a device that pumps oxygen underwater, which improved the situation.
“Some fish found alive at the site were removed and relocated to an offsite dam where they recovered. No further fish deaths have occurred since," the department said.
The department promised to release an official report once the investigation has been concluded.
The department also tasked Magalies Water with creating a plan for managing resources and solving the problem.
“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,” the department added.
