Some 14 years after we first reported on it – and following multiple challenges and false starts – the ambitious plan to create a self-filtering floating public pool in a New York City river is now finally under construction.

Named + Pool, the swimming pool will be anchored in NYC's East River and accessible from a walkway connecting to the shore. The idea behind its unusual shape is flexibility: it can be used as a children's pool, lounging pool, and for water sports and lap swimming simultaneously. Alternatively, two sections or even all four can be used at once.

As mentioned, it will feature self-filtering technology, which its organizers say will be used to clean the East River water, allowing bathers to swim in it safely. "No chemicals or additives" will be used to remove all the bacteria, toxins and any other nasty stuff. We've no in-depth details on how this will work, but schematic drawings depict UV lights, some sort of membrane filter and a strainer.