We all need clean water. People need it to grow crops and to operate factories, and for drinking and recreation. Fish and wildlife depend on it to survive.
Many different pollutants can harm our rivers, streams, lakes and oceans. The three most common are soil, nutrients and bacteria. Rain washes soil into streams and rivers. The soil can kill tiny animals and fish eggs. It can clog the gills of fish and block light so plants die. Nutrients, often from fertilizers, cause problems in lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Nitrogen and phosphorus make algae grow and can turn water green. Bacteria, often from sewage spills, can pollute fresh or salt water.
In the recent studies of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, they added water hyacinth as pest and water pollutant as it invades and chokes up waterways causing flood and problems to the locals and the environment. Further, provide a growing field for mosquitoes and screens off sunlight that is required by aquatic flora and fauna.
Water hyacinth is a free-floating perennial plant that can grow to a height of 3 feet. The dark green leave blades are circular to elliptical in shape attached to a spongy, inflated petiole. Underneath the water is a thick, heavily branched, dark fibrous root system. The water hyacinth has striking light blue to violet flowers located on a terminal spike. Water hyacinth is a very aggressive invader and can form thick mats. If these mats cover the entire surface of the rivers they can cause oxygen depletions and fish kills. Water hyacinths should be controlled so they do not cover most part of the river.
Water hyacinth has no known direct food value to wildlife and is considered a pest species.
