Water hyacinths pose serious challenges to humanity and the environment. Considering the enormity of the menace associated with the growth and spread of the plant and the difficulty in achieving a single, generally acceptable control method, it is becoming increasingly imperative to explore the potentials of the plant. New water hyacinth-related articles are regularly being published. Recently published articles about the plant were accessed, and the information in these articles is presented in the context of the pros and cons of the plant. Some of the benefits that can be derived from the plant include biogas and biofuel production, medicinal functions, vermicomposting, compost production, and bioremediation. However, clogging of waterways, obstruction of water transportation, and fishing activities; breeding grounds for pests and diseases; and reduction of water quality, loss of biodiversity, and economic downturn in areas invaded by the plant are problems associated with it. The peculiarity in the invasiveness of each situation should determine whether or not the growth of the plant is a problem, especially if the opportunity to harness the potentials of the plant exists. There are three major methods for controlling the plants when control becomes inevitable: mechanical, chemical, and biological. To achieve the best control, integrating two or more control methods is advised.

Sustainable provision of safe access to potable water has continued to be a major challenge across the world. Water samples were collected from water bodies at Awba Dam and National Horticulture Research Institute (NIHORT) in Ibadan, Oyo State and the Ogun River in Lagos State. The aim of this study was to gauge the conditions of these frequently used water bodies. The locations were selected based on surrounding population and activities. Sampling was done in the months of April and June, 2021. The physicochemical parameters analysed were pH, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved oxygen (DO). Average salinity value ranged between 0.2675 ± 0.14 mg/L (UI) and 0.6735 ± 0.22 mg/L (Berger). These values are quite high and significant when compared to the threshold level of 0.0000001 mg/L. Of the three sampling points, the samples obtained from Awba Dam at the University of Ibadan seem to have the better quality in relative terms. This follows from the BOD and TDS values of 3.75 ± 0.28 mg/L and 259.7 ± 156.89 mg/L respectively. This study shows that the mismanagement of our waters through unrestrained and unrestricted dumping of contaminants into it has caused these water bodies to have poor quality and should not be used for the purpose of consumption unless properly treated. The presence of aquatic plants that take in some of these pollutants and release oxygen may also help improve quality.