Architect Rahul Shah is proposing to use polluted sewage water from Newton Creek in New York to build a public pool. Newton Creek is near an industrial neighborhood in Brooklyn and is one of the most polluted bodies of water in the state. The Exorcise Pool would use the same water source as the Newton Creek, not the same water, to mitigate and make people aware of the dire quality of their local water.
Currently, storm water and sewage mix together in pipes, resulting in over a billion gallons of waste water being dumped into the river every year. Shah's solution would turn 76,000 cubic feet of the dirty water into 'bioswales.' According the Shah, bioswales are "a series of plantings that can absorb toxins and, kind of the nasties of the water." Low-traffic sidewalks would be replaced be the bioswales, which would then be covered by grates.
Any leftover water would then go to a water treatment plant, where it would be sanitized to the extent that people could swim, shower or even drink it. This public pool idea is Shah's thesis at the Parsons School of Design.
Pollution Purifying Plant Systems
Rahul Shah's Public Pool Design Instigates Dirty Water Talks
Trend Themes
1. Pollution Purifying Plants - Using plant-based systems to purify polluted water sources and raise awareness about water quality.
2. Bioswales as Toxin Absorbers - Using bioswales to absorb toxins and filter polluted water in urban areas.
3. Repurposing Industrial Waste Water - Finding innovative ways to reuse and treat polluted water from industrial areas.
Industry Implications
1. Environmental Technology - Developing new solutions and technologies for water purification and pollution control.
2. Urban Planning - Incorporating green infrastructure like bioswales into city design to improve water quality.
3. Sustainable Tourism - Creating eco-friendly attractions like public pools that use treated polluted water, offering a unique experience.