Water quality information is pretty complex and hard to digest...
That’s why we’ve designed this dashboard to explain what all the charts and spreadsheets mean. Our scientists have combed the data and created a system for understanding when its good, when it’s bad, and when it’s something in between.
We’re working to change the relationship with the water around us
We’re tracking water quality because we have a vision in which people that represent the full diversity of New York City are swimming in and around Manhattan safely, enjoying free and safe access to the river. We’re working on that vision everyday, and in the meantime, put design at the center of everything we do. Design is all around us and can be used to solve environmental problems, drive economic development, fuel innovation, teach kids, promote public health and help us understand things a little better, like this dashboard tries to do. Our project and programs recognize design’s ever-present impact on everybody.
Citizens should be given the chance to help make their cities better.
+ POOL is made up of an incredible group of people that are all working together to push for access to our rivers for swimming, and helping change our relationship with the water around us. Our friends send ideas, participate in programs, lend expertise, volunteer, support fundraising, and advocate for + POOL and the ideas generated by it.
Learn about the communities that support the health of our waterways.
+ POOL isn’t at it alone. There are tons of community groups in and around NYC who care about the state of our rivers and are fighting to help protect them and keep them clean. And you can help too!
Billion Oyster Project
The Billion Oyster Project of the New York Harbor School is teaching students to cultivate oysters, which naturally filter the river, with the goal of cultivating one billion oysters by 2030. Volunteer with the Billion Oyster Project! Work alongside staff and students to build oyster reef structures, prepare recycled shell for new oysters, sort and count baby oysters, and much more.
New York Water Trail Association
New York Water Trail Association is a group of individuals who have taken it upon themselves to collect water samples and map water quality across the City where there is none. Volunteer to become a water quality sampler by contacting NYCWTA on their website here.
Riverkeeper
Riverkeeper is a member-supported watchdog organization dedicated to defending the Hudson River and its tributaries, and protecting the drinking water supply of more than nine million New York City and Hudson Valley residents. You can help promote healthy rivers by and make a difference by urging your New York State legislators to take actions to better the waters that surround us here.
Newtown Creek Alliance
Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA) is a community-based organization dedicated to restoring, revealing and revitalizing Newtown Creek, the waterbody that flows between Brooklyn and Queens and empties into the East River. In 2010 Newtown Creek was named a Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which means, the federal government has identified it as an area in need of cleanup due to its contamination by hazardous substances and pollutants. You can help through NCA’s Eye on the Creek Program.
Gowanus Canal Conservancy
Gowanus Canal Conservancy is dedicated to facilitating the development of a resilient, vibrant, open space network centered on the Gowanus Canal through activating and empowering community stewardship of the Gowanus Watershed. Each year over 1,000 volunteers take part in exciting and creative projects that expand green spaces in the Gowanus Watershed, find out more here!
Bronx River Alliance
The Bronx River, is approximately 24 miles long, flows all the way from White Plains down to the East River and is the only freshwater river in NYC! The Bronx River Alliance (BRA) works to protect, improve and restore the Bronx River corridor. You can support their efforts by volunteering to plant trees, remove invasive species, or act as a bike ride marshall.
It’s time to get to know your river better.
How warm was the water today? What’s turbidity? What’s pH? How is enterococci affect our ability to swim? Dive into the dashboard and find out!
Commissioned by Friends of + POOL, Inc.
Designers
- Reaktor Inc
- Jonathan Dahan
- Ross Langley
- Savas Ozay
- Stephen Cronin
Sonde Installation
- Rob Buchanan
- Wade McGillis
- Haokai Zhao
Lab Testing
- Aaniyla Allen-Sutherland
Data Collection & Analysis
Microbiology Early Warning ALERT Instrumentation
- Fluidion
- Dan Angelescu
- Andreas Hausot
- Joyce Wong
Special thanks to Billion Oyster Project for lending a boat, Arup Engineering for creating a lab, and Pier 17 for letting us sample.
This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.