New $6.7M Nanobubbler Systems To Boost Oxygen In Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Lake Elsinore's water treatment system is expected to receive a major upgrade after the city council approved new Nanobubbler systems, which are expected to triple the current amount of oxygen pumped into the lake.

On July 28, the city council unanimously approved an equipment purchase and services agreement with Hawthorne-based Moleaer, Inc. for the purchase of a custom water treatment system to replace and upgrade their pilot Nanobubbler system installed in 2023. The agreement will cost $6,765,000, according to the city.

"Back in 2023, the city council approved the first lake management plan, and since then we've been working through that plan," Adam Gufarotti, assistant director of lake and community operations told the city council on July 28.

"From the beginning, this plan is a road map, every step of the way doing a little thing for the lake and seeing how the lake responds," he continued.

RELATED: Lake Elsinore Gets $8 Million In Federal Funding To Help Keep Lake Water Clean

Since 2023, the city has deployed multiple technologies to improve the health of the lake, which is the largest natural freshwater lake in Southern California. In addition to the Nanobubbler technology, the city has used algaecide, and Phoslock treatments to clean up the water.

The first Nanobubbler was installed in February 2024 as a pilot project, pumping 500 pounds of oxygen into the lake per day. In October 2024, for phase two, two Nanobubbler systems were installed, each pumping 2,500 pounds of oxygen per day. With the city council's approval on July 28, phase 3 will upgrade the pilot Nanobubbler and barge, and add a second unit, both equipped with ozone technology, which are expected to each pump 5,000 pounds of oxygen per day.

By the end of 2026, the city expects the Nanobubbler systems to pump 15,000 pounds of oxygen per day.

"The importance of the oxygen into the lake is it prevents the reloading of nutrients. So if we have oxygen at the bottom of the lake, it kind of caps those nutrients," Gufarotti said.

RELATED: Petition For Preservation Of Lake Elsinore's Wetlands Draws Support, Response From Mayor

Gafarardi said nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen feed the algae.

"If we can cap that bottom, we can prevent that cycle," he said.

The city said since being installed, the Nanobubbler systems have reduced algae toxins by 88 percent, improved water clarity and kept dissolved oxygen levels above the threshold for fish kills.

In late 2023, it was announced Moleaer launched a $2 million-plus project with the city of Lake Elsinore to help restore water quality using nanobubbles. The bubbles are 2,500 times smaller than a grain of salt, non-buoyant, and possess a charged surface. In an algae-filled body of water, nanobubbles help disrupt compacted sediment layers and break down organic contaminants continuously without using harsh chemicals, according to Moleaer.

RELATED: Lake Elsinore Algae Blooms Under Attack By 'Nanobubble Technology'

Moleaer initially installed two custom-built nanobubble generators on a floating barge in the lake. The generators were designed to treat 2,400 gallons of water per minute.

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-41) secured the funding for the county projects through the Community Project Funding process. The program provides investment in a wide variety of projects such as housing, homelessness prevention, workforce training, public facilities, parks, resilience planning and other critical infrastructure and services.

The funding designated for Lake Elsinore was used to augment the city's investment in Nanobubbler systems already deployed across the lake.

After officials observed improvements in water quality following the pilot launch, the city council approved the purchase of two more barges in 2024.

In February, Mayor Robert. E. Magee said having a cleaner lake will strengthen the city's tourism, support local businesses, and improve the city's economic viability.

"This investment is not just about water quality — it's about the future of Lake Elsinore and ensuring our city continues to grow, thrive, and remain a destination we are proud to call home," he said.

Patch Local Editor Toni McAllister contributed to this report.