Aquatic Weed & Water
Hyacinth Control in South Africa
Invasive aquatic weeds are one of the fastest-growing threats to dam and pond health across South Africa. Water hyacinth, floating algae mats, duckweed, and submerged vegetation can cover an entire water surface in a matter of weeks under the right conditions - starving the water of oxygen, blocking sunlight, and creating toxic conditions for fish and other aquatic life.
Dart provides mechanical aquatic weed and hyacinth removal for farm dams, golf courses, residential estates, and nature reserves nationwide. We use water dozers, amphibious excavators, and specialised collection equipment to clear the water surface quickly, efficiently, and without a single drop of chemicals.
Invasive species we remove
- Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) - one of South Africa's most destructive invasive aquatic plants, capable of doubling in population every two weeks
- Duckweed (Lemna species) - forms dense surface mats that block light and deplete oxygen
- Algae mats and cyanobacteria - produce toxins harmful to livestock, dogs, and humans
- Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) - spreads rapidly and chokes smaller water bodies
- Submerged aquatic grasses - reduce navigability and water storage in shallower dams
Why chemical-free matters
Many services use herbicides to kill aquatic weeds. This approach is fast but carries significant risks - chemical residues in irrigation water, harm to non-target species, fish kills, and contamination of drinking water sources for livestock. Dart's mechanical approach removes weeds physically, leaving no chemical trace in the water.
Our methods are safe for irrigation, livestock drinking water, trout farms, and swim dams.
Our equipment for weed control
- Water dozers - floating platforms that push and collect surface vegetation for efficient, wide-area clearing
- Amphibious excavators - ideal for denser infestations and for plants rooted in shallow sediment
- Mechanical harvesters - for precision collection of finer floating material
Frequently asked questions
Here are some common questions about aquatic weed control
Dart uses water dozers and amphibious equipment to mechanically push, collect, and remove water hyacinth from the water surface. Collected material is transported off-site. For established infestations, multiple treatment visits may be required over a season.
Mechanical removal controls the existing infestation but does not eliminate the root cause, nutrient-rich water from upstream run-off or sewage. Combined with an annual management plan, mechanical clearing is the most sustainable long-term approach without chemicals.
Weeds taking over your dam?
We can clear it — contact Dart today.