Adelaide Tests Tiny Bubbles to Clean Polluted Lake

Adelaide's beloved Torrens Lake has closed three times this year due to dangerous bacteria levels, but a surprising solution might be floating just beneath the surface.

The lake, meant to be the crown jewel of Adelaide's city center, has been regularly shut down in 2026 because of high levels of enterococci and E. coli bacteria. Rowing clubs can't practice, tour boats sit idle, and locals avoid the walking paths they once loved.

Now local resident and musician John Schumann is leading a push for the Adelaide City Council to trial "nanobubble technology," an emerging water treatment method that sounds like science fiction but has already shown promise in New South Wales. "It's supposed to be the centrepiece of Adelaide, and it doesn't have to be like this," Schumann said.

The technology works by generating microscopic bubbles filled with oxygen and ozone, then mixing them throughout the water. These tiny bubbles break down chemical contaminants and reduce harmful microbial growth, all while using minimal energy.

Dr. Arash Zamyadi, a civil and environmental engineering lecturer at Monash University, explains the technology targets the specific problems plaguing urban lakes. "That has the capacity to break down the contaminants, both the microbes, the pathogens, and the chemicals like the toxins," he said.

Wagga Wagga City Council recently completed a year-long trial using nanobubbles in Lake Albert with encouraging results. The technology showed no reported loss of aquatic life while effectively targeting algal blooms and associated contaminants.

Deputy Lord Mayor Carmel Noon plans to table a motion supporting a trial in coming weeks. "It would be amazing that we could actually stop the closures of this part of the river that affects so many businesses and livelihoods," she said.

The Ripple Effect

If successful, the trial could extend beyond Adelaide. Multiple council areas along the River Torrens could adopt the technology, potentially transforming water quality across the entire system. The approach represents a shift from managing closures to preventing them entirely.

Tony Shuman, who operates cruising riverboats on the Torrens, captures the sentiment of many affected by the ongoing problems. "Let's try something rather than nothing," he said.

The technology faces some skepticism from regulators who want more scientific evidence before widespread adoption. Dr. Zamyadi acknowledges these concerns are valid for such new innovation, saying independent evaluation remains crucial.

Adelaide City Council confirmed it's discussing the proposal with other councils and government agencies about improving the River Torrens system. If approved, the nanobubbles would first be installed between the Torrens Weir and Albert Bridge, with potential expansion based on results.

For a city that has watched its centerpiece lake become a source of frustration rather than pride, microscopic bubbles might deliver the clean water solution residents have been hoping for.