New York’s murky East River could soon be transformed into a beautiful swimming attraction

THIS much-maligned city river is being revamped with a pool that filters its murky water into safe, swimmable water.

This artist’s rendering shows the proposed floating pool in New York’s East River. Pictur

THIS floating pool looks set to transform New York’s much maligned East River into a stunning summer swimming attraction for the city.

So could the concept offer hope of reinvigorating an unswimmable river near you?

Aussies eager to see their own city follow suit should watch this space, as the New York proposal is still a couple of years - and millions of dollars - away from reality.

The backers of the floating Plus Pool - an Olympic-sized structure with cruise-like decking - say they’re on course to drop anchor in New York in mid-2016, provided they win approval from the authorities.

An artist’s impression of the pool in New York’s East River, close to the Brooklyn shore. Picture: AP

Project co-founder Archie Coates pitched the pool as be clean, safe and good for the environment and public perception.

The goal, he said, was to “change the way New Yorkers see the river by giving them a chance to swim in it”.

The pool’s backers said it would be different from all other floating pools because it is designed to filter river water into safe, swimmable water.

The Plus Pool would be anchored to the river bed and have a walkway to shore.

Project spokeswoman Kanessa Tixe said pool proponents had been in talks with several locations, including Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Co-founder Dong-Ping Wong said the Plus Pool would be like a “giant strainer”, built from filtration material that can remove bacteria and contaminants from a half-million gallons of polluted river water each day. That clean water would be cycled back into the river, he said.

The proposed floating pool would add to the scene framed by the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge. Picture: AP

More than 3000 people have contributed nearly $275,000 to a Kickstarter campaign to keep the pool project afloat. Supporters can also sponsor one of the pool’s 70,000 tiles for as little as $25 - and if each is sponsored, Mr Coates said, it would cover the $15 million cost to build the pool.

East River has long been in need of a public relations and environmental makeover.

It’s smelly, dirty and, whenever sewage and storm water back up, dangerous. And, it has a place in city lore as a supposed dumping ground for the cement-shoed victims of mob hits.

The television series Seinfeld took a good-natured swipe at the river in a 1997 episode when wacky neighbour character Kramer tried swimming in the East River’s rapid currents and was confused for a dead body.

Organisers say Plus Pool, if realised, would be open to all, with sections for children, loungers and avid lap swimmers. It may carry a small admission fee or sponsorships to cover the cost of maintenance and compensation for lifeguards.

The Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge span New York’s East River - not known for its attractiveness to swimmers.