Swim the East River:Fear of Contamination

It all started on a sweltering summer day in New York City, when the masterminds behind + Pool (plus pool) were fantasizing about diving into the East River, but quickly thought better of it. This got them thinking and they designed a concept for a public pool that floats in the actual river and uses a state-of-the-art filtration system to clean the river water as it enters the iceberg oasis. They hope to create and open + Pool in New York City’s East River, just off the Brooklyn shore (exact location TBD), as soon as the filtration system testing and construction is complete.

+ Pool is meant to reflect a city intersection and got its name from the proposed shape, which is created by connecting four separate pools into one: a children’s pool, sports pool, lap pool and lounge pool. Something for everyone!

The response to + Pool has been overwhelming. In order to make it a pool for the public, by the public, residents and supporters are encouraged to make a donation to the cause, which has raised $41,647 to date. +Pool has now raised enough funds ($25,000) to test the Primary Filtration Layer. At the $50,000 mark they will test the Secondary Filtration Layer and $100,000 will cue tests on the Third Filtration Layer. Why three filtration layers, you ask? Have you seen the East River up close?

Needless to say, there is still a lot of work to be done and the + Pool team is hoping to raise $500,000 before a mockup is created to present to the city, but the ecological ramifications of using a natural water source for a public pool are certainly enticing, if it can be done effectively. If you’re interested in learning more or want to make a donations, check out their website.