Cherie Sivignon/Stuff
Utilities manager Mike Schurer told councillors the aquatic weeds had fine seeds that could be spread by ducks. The plants had been spotted in Saxton Creek, Jimmy Lee Creek and the Hart Rd drain along with some small incursions in other Richmond waterways. Though they were edible and some residents had been seen collecting the plants, people were urged to refrain over the coming weeks and signs would be installed in areas earmarked for spraying. The plants may still look healthy for a few days after being sprayed. Barber said he would not take anything for human consumption that had been growing in drainage ditches any way, as stormwater runoff could be contaminated by a range of polluntants including heavy metals and cleaning compounds.