NYC Health Department Raises Concerns Over Floating East River Pool

Creators add emergency chlorine system as they await approvals to open the pool by 2027.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:43pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image revealing the internal structure of a floating pool, with glowing lines representing the complex filtration system designed to purify the East River water.An X-ray view of the floating pool's intricate filtration system highlights the engineering challenges of creating a safe swimming experience in the East River.NYC Today

A plan to build a floating pool in the East River that would filter river water for swimming is facing delays from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The latest iteration of the pool, now called POOL1, is 25% the size of the original proposal and is awaiting six approvals from the health department before it can open for swimming by the summer of 2027. The health department is requiring a 'dry run' of the pool without bathers and has raised concerns about water quality and swimmer safety due to the pool's proximity to sewer pipes that discharge raw sewage into the river during storms.

Why it matters

The floating pool project is an innovative attempt to provide New Yorkers with a new way to access the city's waterways for recreation. However, the health department's concerns highlight the challenges of developing safe water-based infrastructure in an urban environment with aging sewer systems and water quality issues.

The details

The POOL1 project is a collaboration between designers and architects that was first announced in 2010. It gained the backing of former Governor Hochul and former Mayor Adams, who had promised New Yorkers the pool would be open for swimming by the summer of 2025. Due to delays caused by ice floes, blizzards, and the health department's review process, the pool's creators are now aiming to open it for swimming by the summer of 2027. The pool's managing director, Kara L. Meyer, said the delays were a necessary step toward making the five boroughs a 'swimmable city.' The health department is requiring the pool's creators to add an emergency chlorine dosing system and conduct further testing on water quality and swimmer safety before granting approvals.

  • The floating pool project was first announced in 2010.
  • In 2024, former Mayor Eric Adams touted the pool, promising it would open for swimming by the summer of 2025.
  • The latest iteration of the pool, POOL1, is 25% the size of the original proposal and is awaiting six approvals from the health department.
  • The pool's creators are aiming to open it for swimming by the summer of 2027.
  • The health department is requiring a 'dry run' of the pool without bathers this summer before granting approvals.

The players

POOL1

The latest iteration of the floating pool project, which is 25% the size of the original proposal.

Kara L. Meyer

The managing director of the floating pool project, who said the delays were a necessary step toward making the five boroughs a 'swimmable city.'

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

The agency that is requiring a 'dry run' of the pool without bathers and has raised concerns about water quality and swimmer safety due to the pool's proximity to sewer pipes that discharge raw sewage into the river during storms.

William Fowler

A spokesperson for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, who said the agency has established detailed protocols to guide the floating pool project and is working with the creators to address outstanding questions.

Trever Holland

The chair of the parks committee at the Manhattan Community Board 3 that adjoins the future site of the floating pool, who hopes the Department of Health can speed up the approval process.

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What they’re saying

“We have advanced so far in the process, thanks to the leadership and direction of the NYS Health Department and the collaboration of the NYC Health Department.”

— Kara L. Meyer, Managing Director, POOL1

“The city and state health departments have established detailed protocols to guide +POOL in meeting health and safety requirements and have been reviewing submissions and working with Plus Pool as they refine their design.”

— William Fowler, Spokesperson, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

“We'd like to make sure this happens, and we really hope the Department of Health can speed up the process.”

— Trever Holland, Chair, Parks Committee, Manhattan Community Board 3

What’s next

Once the testing is done this summer, the POOL1 will be towed away to get outfitted with showers, lockers, and other finishing touches to prepare it for the summer of 2027 opening.

The takeaway

The floating pool project highlights the challenges of developing safe water-based infrastructure in an urban environment with aging sewer systems and water quality issues. The health department's concerns over swimmer safety and water quality must be addressed before the pool can open, underscoring the importance of rigorous safety protocols for innovative public projects.