The Blesbokspruit wetland in the City of Ekurhuleni is rich in biodiversity and is home to a variety of birdlife. It was recognised as a RAMSAR Wetland in 1986, which means it is a wetland of international importance.  This wetland, which is one of the largest in Southern Africa and the only RAMSAR site in Gauteng, has been impacted by industry, mining (acid mine drainage), dams, drainage channels, sewer leaks, and agricultural activities which makes it a conducive system for the infestation of aquatic invaders such as the water hyacinth. As a result, the wetland has been placed on the Montreux Record, which lists potentially threatened or degraded RAMSAR sites.

To address this problem, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has been rehabilitating the wetland to get it back to a fully-fledged RAMSAR site, with one of the biggest tasks being to tackle the invasion of the water hyacinth. Many methods are being used including mechanical, chemical and biological control. There has been some success to date, with water quality improving and birdlife slowly returning but there is still much to be done. This is an important ecosystem in an urban and industrialised area