A floating, self-filtering pool reinvents urban bathing

In the mid-20th century, the Thames was declared a biologically dead river. Although it has now been regenerated through various remediation measures, it’s an example of the sad fate of many rivers as they pass through large cities. Even today, despite all the solutions implemented, few people would venture to take a swim in it.  However, New York intends to allow its inhabitants to take a dip in the East River —synonymous with pollution, industrial barges and grey landscapes— without taking any risks. The key lies in +POOL, a project more than a decade in the making that will place a floating pool in the middle of the waterway.

A cross-shaped design

The first thing that is striking about this structure is its cross shape, or "+" symbol due to its functionality. Each of its arms will be dedicated to a different use: a children's area, an area for sports training, a relaxation space and an open area for recreational activities. The result of adding these four arms together is a large swimming pool of 800 square metres with a capacity for hundreds of bathers.

Beyond iconic design, +POOL seeks to democratise access to water in an urban environment. It is part of the NY SWIMS plan, an initiative that aims to create new public swimming facilities, with a special focus on historically underserved communities. According to its promoters, it is the largest public investment in aquatic facilities since the 1930s.

Advanced filtering technologies

But the key to +POOL lies not so much in its shape as in its passive filtration system that makes it a sustainable pool. The water flowing through the East River enters directly through the floating structure and passes through a set of highly efficient membranes that eliminate solid waste, bacteria and pollutants without the need for chlorine or other chemical additives. This is supplemented by an ultraviolet light treatment stage that ensures final disinfection.

This process will filter almost four million litres per day, which not only supplies the pool, but also contributes to returning cleaner water to the environment. In the event of heavy rainfall or pollution episodes, the system is automatically stopped by sensors that monitor the water quality in real time.

An infrastructure that moves by sea

Another curious aspect of this project is the approach used in its construction. The ship-like pool is being built at the Bollinger shipyard in Pascagoula (Mississippi). The first 185 m² rectangular module, which will serve as a pilot for the project, has been completed there. The structure will then be towed by sea to a pier on the Lower East Side. The journey is expected to take more than three weeks along Florida and the Atlantic coast.

Once at its destination, the module will undergo technical and hydrodynamic tests. If the results are positive, progress will be made towards the definitive installation of the complete pool. The project promoters estimate that the structure will be operational during the summer of 2026.

A swimming pool with environmental and social benefits

In addition to providing a safe place to swim and purify the river water, this floating pool will serve as an educational platform. It is planned to host activities for school children, environmental monitoring training programmes and workshops on urban ecology.

Although the project is a pioneering initiative in New York, its promoters have already announced their desire to replicate it in other cities. Perhaps in the coming years cities such as Tokyo or London will benefit from a system that combines floating infrastructure and passive filtration with a focus on urban regeneration.

From renders to reality

The road to this point has not been an easy one. Since its initial conception in 2010, the project has gone through several phases of technical validation, prototyping and the search for funding. In parallel, it has managed to attract the attention of institutions such as the New York City Council, which has earmarked nearly sixteen million dollars for its development.

If the pilot module tests are successful, +POOL could become an icon of sustainable urbanism. Not only for its ability to clean water, but for its value as a catalyst for a more liveable and resilient city.

Initiatives such as this pool are in addition to other works such as these refrigerated canopies powered by renewable energy that we talked about some time ago. The aim is the same: to tackle the challenges of climate change and pollution through technological and social innovation.

Source:

• New Atlas