The Dangers of Untreated Aquatic Weeds

30.4.24

Aquatic weeds are like extended family. They can be tolerated in small numbers, but if you see too many of them all at once, then Houston we have a problem. The proliferation of aquatic weeds – aka pond weeds – tends to be more of a menace during the summer months. That’s why domestic and commercial lakes and waterways require weed removal specialists.

A delicate ecosystem

Humans crashing into the delicate balance of ecosystems by introducing nuisance, invasive and non-native plant species is contributing to many native plants being choked out of the picture. That’s why aquatic weed control is an integral part of any effective river and drainage channel management regime.

At Aqua Contractor, we plan and execute these services to precision, so it’s cost-effective to you and beneficial to the environment. If poorly executed, aquatic weed control can be damaging to the environment and of limited benefit.

The dangers

Aquatic weeds can pose a real danger if left untreated, and warmer wetter summers make the problem even more pressing.

Untreated aquatic weeds can affect human health

The threat to human health is real. Take Blue-green algae and New Zealand pygmyweed, for example. Don’t be fooled by the name – this is not algae but bacteria that can produce harmful toxins.

You might experience vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes on the skin and irritated eyes if you encounter it. Fever, muscle aches and pains has also been reported in certain individuals, but this is not a health blog, so you should speak to a qualified medical practitioner for more information about this.

Dog friendly

Aquatic weeds love warmer summers and so do dogs. Canals, rivers, ponds and pools turn a shade of green indicating a possible aquatic weed issue. This can fool dogs into thinking it’s a continuation of the grass, so they can end up in the water.

hazardous for wildlife & fish

Aquatic weeds can wreak havoc on the environment, elbowing other plants and animals out of the picture, mainly because of that impenetrable film on the surface of the water. It can end up starving water plants of light, suck up the oxygen fish need to breathe, plus, once they’ve completed their lifecycle, these weeds can decompose, starving the water of even more oxygen.

A headache for boats

Aquatic weeds like duckweed, floating pennywort and Azolla can grow at an astonishing rate and are not only unsightly but can cause a problem for everybody trying to enjoy the water. Azolla can double in size every three days, while others double in size in a matter of hours. Left unchecked, these weeds cause real headaches for boats, rowers, and anglers.

might cause flooding

Flooding hits the headlines all the time, and untreated aquatic weeds and plants play their part. Marginal plants, like bullrush, can clog inlets and outflows. This hinders the flow of the water to and from the watercourse, potentially drying it out, and increasing the risk of flooding.

a litter trap

Rubbish and litter can collect on top of the surface of the water, looking unsightly and unhygienic.

Sources:

canalrivertrust.org

rhs.org.uk

uky.edu