25 Feb, 2026

Torrens Lake temporary closure

Due to high levels of E.coli being detected, the Torrens Lake has been temporarily closed in the interests of public health and safety.

City of Adelaide has placed signage from the Torrens Weir to Prince Albert Bridge restricting any activities involving direct water contact until further notice.

Further testing will be carried out to monitor the levels of E. coli, which can cause serious illness.

Events within Elder Park such as Friday’s night free concert by Pulp are not impacted by this closure.

We advise members of the public not to have any contact with the water until testing shows it is safe.

Further testing will be carried out to further monitor the levels of E.coli and, pending the results, the Torrens Lake will remain closed for secondary contact activities until further notice.

Frequently asked questions

What does this mean for the free concert being held at Elder Park on Friday night?

Events within Elder Park are not impacted by this closure and Event organisers have been notified.

What is E.Coli?

E.coli is a microorganism found in human, dog, bird or other warm-blooded animal faeces. It is the most specific indicator of a recent faecal contamination and, if present in water, it can cause illness or diarrhoea.

Why was the lake closed?

When routine water tests conducted by SA Water show elevated levels of bacteria such as E.coli we seek advice from SA Health. In this instance, we were advised to temporarily close the Torrens Lake. As part of the closure, our staff notify lake users such as rowing clubs, Pop Eye and BBQ Buoys

How long will the lake remain closed?

Further testing will be carried out to further monitor the levels of E.coli, and pending the results, the Torrens Lake will remain closed for secondary contact activities until further notice.

What do you want the public to do while the lake is closed?

We advise members of the public not to have any contact with the water until testing shows it is safe.

What has water testing shown?

Regular water sampling tests of the Torrens Lake were undertaken last Thursday and the results were negative. Further testing was conducted on Monday and these results confirmed the presence of high levels of E.coli leading to the decision to close the lake for the foreseeable future in the interests of public safety.

What has caused the current situation?

Investigations into the cause are continuing. However, Adelaide has been experiencing prolonged dry conditions. When we have rain for the first time after a prolonged dry period, it washes organic matter, along with nutrients and pollutants from the urban catchment into the river, which can often lead to low oxygen levels. This can be a contributor to elevated E. coli levels.

What role does CoA play in the health of the river?

We invest a lot of time and money in ensuring the River Torrens is as clean as possible, noting we are just one of many councils with an interest in the river’s health and we all work closely with Green Adelaide.

This includes monitoring water quality and marine life, trapping pollution, general catchment management such as planting and weed control, and adjusting flow levels utilising the Kangaroo Creek Reservoir.

We also work with the EPA on a regular dredging plan to help clean the river, with the most recent operation being conducted in late January to early February.

This latest incident again raises the importance of managing the River Torrens beyond the City of Adelaide’s boundaries, particularly upstream, to prevent pollutants and sources of contamination from reaching the Torrens Lake - an ornamental water feature primarily used to mitigate flooding in the western suburbs.

Colin James