New weed harvester for Zandvlei due by November 2023
17 January 2023
The City of Cape Town has awarded the tender for a new weed harvester for Zandvlei in the Far South to Eli Marketing (Pty) Ltd, an approved distributor for Clark Marine Survey and Consulting, as the main service provider; and Bradexim (Pty) Ltd t/a Stingray Marine as the stand-by service provider. Read more below:
The anticipated delivery date of the weed harvester is November 2023. The maintenance service plan covers a period of 2 000 working hours, and includes all services and routine maintenance costs, labour costs and parts; and is warranted for at least 24 months.
‘I am grateful that the awarding of the tender has been concluded. This process took longer than anticipated due to the complexities associated with this type of machinery. The City’s Fleet Management Department is monitoring the project plan and timelines to ensure all remains on track for delivery,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.
A weed harvester is a highly specialised machine that operates like a boat on water with blades underneath for the cutting of weeds and is equipped to gather, transport and upload water plants. In Zandvlei in particular, a weed harvester is used to cut pondweeds and also to remove filamentous algae build-up in the marina.
‘In the meantime, the old Zandvlei weed harvester is in operation and clearing plants and sections as decided by the operator, in consultation with the Zandvlei Reserve Manager. The City’s Environmental Management Department also employs Expanded Public Work Programme teams to remove weed by hand when the old weed harvester is unavailable or in for repairs. The manual labour though is subject to water quality and safety constraints.
‘On this note, I want to thank the local residents and Zandvlei Protected Area Advisory Committee for their support and understanding while we were concluding the processes for acquiring the new weed harvester,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
The City also wants to remind residents in the marina that some of the algal accumulation and pondweed stands are occurring within the 2m property boundary of the waterside erven in the marina.
‘This is private property and the owners’ responsibility to clear as we cannot reach these sections in case we damage the vessel, revetments or private watercraft. I want to request residents to please assist us by removing these as best they can,’ said Alderman Andrews.
Algae does not spread, or multiply on top of the water, but grows on the bottom layer of the water and then rises to the surface in the form of ‘floating mats’.
Floating mats should be removed to prevent decomposition and a release of nutrients back into the water, and also because it depletes oxygen in the waterbody. The City monitors dissolved oxygen levels in the waterways on a weekly basis and try to remove floating algal mats before they drop and decompose.
In November last year, the City of Cape Town was accredited as a Wetland City. The accreditation acknowledges the City for ‘taking exceptional measures’ in protecting Cape Town’s wetlands and securing their benefits for Capetonians.
‘I’m proud to say that in Cape Town we are always looking for innovative plans to resolve challenges, and to maintain, restore, and preserve our wetlands. But, in so doing, we are also working with our surrounding communities,’ said Alderman Andrews.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
