Blogs

At Clear Robotics, we’re on a mission to restore waterways worldwide with our autonomous boat, the Clearbot Alligator. Water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic weed, plagues lakes and rivers across the globe, prompting questions like: Why is it so invasive? Can it be repurposed? We’ve tackled this weed in real projects in Hong Kong and India, clearing 304 tons across these efforts. In this blog, we answer your questions about water hyacinth removal, share how our technology helps, and explore sustainable solutions—whether you’re in Malaysia, Brazil, or beyond.

‍

Why Is Water Hyacinth Invasive?

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants, often called a “green terror” for its rapid spread. Native to the Amazon basin, it doubles in size every 12 days under ideal conditions, forming dense mats that:

•  Harm Ecosystems: It blocks sunlight and oxygen, killing fish and plants. Globally, it affects 50 million hectares of waterbodies.
• Disrupt Communities: Mats clog waterways, halting fishing and navigation. In Africa’s Lake Victoria, fishing yields drop 40% yearly due to water hyacinth.
• Increase Health Risks: Stagnant water breeds mosquitoes, raising malaria cases by 15% in infested regions like Southeast Asia.

Its ability to float, spread via seeds and runners, and thrive in nutrient-rich waters makes it a global menace, from Malaysia to the Mississippi River.

Where Did Water Hyacinth Come From, and How Did It Spread Globally?

Water hyacinth originated in South America but was introduced worldwide as an ornamental plant in the 1800s. By 1900, it had spread to over 50 countries, carried by colonial trade, aquarium dumping, and natural waterways. In Malaysia, it invaded via rivers like the Klang; in Brazil, it chokes the Pantanal wetlands. Human activity—such as discarding plants or using them in fish farms—accelerated its global reach, making it a persistent challenge across tropical and subtropical regions.

‍

How Does Water Hyacinth Grow, and Can It Survive Harsh Conditions?

Water hyacinth thrives in warm, nutrient-rich waters (25–30°C), common in tropical areas like Singapore and Brazil. It reproduces both sexually (seeds surviving years) and asexually (runners), enabling rapid growth. In colder climates, like parts of the U.S., growth slows below 15°C, but seeds remain viable, allowing regrowth in spring. In arid regions, it struggles without water but can survive short droughts as dormant seeds, making consistent removal critical worldwide.

‍

Can Water Hyacinth Be Used as Fertilizer or for Other Purposes?

Yes, water hyacinth offers sustainable uses, turning a problem into a resource:

• Fertilizer: High in nitrogen, it’s ideal for composting. In Kenya, farmers use it to boost maize yields by 12%.
• Biofuel: Its biomass produces biogas or ethanol—1 ton yields 400 liters of ethanol, per studies in Brazil.
• Crafts: Communities in Vietnam weave it into baskets, earning $100/month per artisan.

We’ve seen this potential firsthand. In our Hong Kong project with Veolia, we cleared 260 tons, and locals repurposed some into compost, creating economic opportunities while restoring waterways.

‍

‍

How Does Clearbot Alligator Enable Water Hyacinth Removal?

Our Clearbot Alligator is designed for efficient, eco-friendly water hyacinth removal across diverse regions:

• High Efficiency: It clears 90 square meters per hour, navigating dense mats with AI-powered navigation to target weeds without harming aquatic life.
• Sustainable Design: 100% electric, it produces zero emissions—unlike chemical methods that pollute.

• Scalable Operations: Battery swaps on floating pontoons allow non-stop work, perfect for large waterbodies in places like Hong Kong or Kerala.

From Asia to South America, our technology adapts to local needs, ensuring clean, navigable waters without environmental harm.

‍

‍

‍

Clearbot Alligator’s Real Projects: Clearing Water Hyacinth Worldwide

We’ve deployed the Clearbot Alligator in two major projects to remove water hyacinth, showcasing our impact on a global scale:

• Veolia Hong Kong Partnership (2022): In collaboration with Veolia, we tackled water hyacinth infestations in Hong Kong’s waterways. The Clearbot Alligator removed 260 tons of water hyacinth, restoring navigation and water quality for local communities. This project demonstrated our ability to handle large-scale infestations sustainably, using zero-emission technology to support Hong Kong’s environmental goals. [Web ID: 0]

‍

‍

‍

• Puthiya Kavin Chira, Kerala, India (2025): Working with the Puthiya Kavin Chira Project Authority, we cleared 44 tons of water hyacinth over 44 days (February 6 to March 27, 2025), restoring 14,164 square meters (3.5 acres) of the waterbody. This 100% clearance effort revitalized the ecosystem, improving water flow and supporting local fishing communities, aligning with India’s green initiatives.

‍

‍

These projects highlight our proven track record in addressing water hyacinth challenges, empowering communities, and preserving ecosystems across regions.

‍

Why Do Traditional Water Hyacinth Control Methods Struggle?

Traditional methods often fail to keep up with water hyacinth’s growth:

• Manual Removal: Workers clear only 10 square meters per day, and regrowth outpaces efforts, especially in large lakes like Brazil’s Pantanal.
• Chemical Sprays: Herbicides kill weeds but pollute water, increasing treatment costs by 20% and harming fish, per studies in Malaysia.
• Biological Control: Weevils reduce growth but take years, ineffective against dense infestations in regions like Lake Victoria.

Our robotic solution offers speed, scale, and sustainability, proven in Hong Kong and India, making it a game-changer for water hyacinth management.

‍

How Can Communities Turn Water Hyacinth into Opportunities?

We partner with communities to transform water hyacinth into a resource. Here’s how you can get involved, no matter where you are:

• Compost for Farming: Convert weeds into fertilizer—1 ton supports 2 acres of crops, as seen in Kenya.
• Launch Biofuel Projects: Work with local startups to produce biogas, cutting energy costs, a method gaining traction in Brazil.
• Create Jobs with Crafts: Weave baskets or mats, like artisans in Vietnam, generating income while clearing waterways.
•  Prevent Regrowth: Monitor waterbodies and report infestations to local authorities or us—we can deploy the Clearbot Alligator to stop reinfestation.
• These steps create a cycle of restoration and opportunity, benefiting both ecosystems and economies worldwide.

‍

Building a Global Solution for Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth is a global challenge, but with technology and collaboration, we can overcome it. Our projects in Hong Kong and India are just the start—we’re committed to expanding to regions like Southeast Asia and South America. Facing water hyacinth issues in your area? Contact us at clearbot.org/contact to learn how we can help. Let’s create cleaner waterways together, wherever you are.