Natural Pools

Posted on June 14, 2011 in Sonoma Style™, Sustainability

I used to be a pool owner. I must admit that I loved the draw for the grandchild, and my husband loved floating in it. But it was a pain to keep up and maintain. Not to mention cost, chemicals and my concern for the quantity of water needed while in a drought situation here in California. sigh…

However, there is a sustainable choice if you want to enjoy a beautiful water feature, an exotic addition to your garden and the fun and relaxation of floating in water. It’s a natural pool, and, I think its a great alternative to the traditional pool; both when building new, as well as converting when it’s time to resurface or fix an existing pool.

Blend your garden and your pool! via justson blogspot

Natural swimming pools or ponds originated in Europe over 25 years ago, and has yet to make it’s way here to the US with any kind of impact. While Natural swimming pools still use pumps and skimmers, they mostly use gravel stone and clay in place of concrete or fiberglass, and aquatic plants instead of harmful chemicals and complicated mechanical filtering systems. All of which blend into, and make our natural environment very happy.

Beautiful addition to any landscape: via Total Habitat

I like the fact the the plants enrich the pool with oxygen, support beneficial bacteria that consume debris and potentially harmful organisms, and give habitat to frogs, dragonflies and other water life. While it can be done yourself I always recommend a professional service. As with most large projects, a professional will ensure that you get a finished product that will last a lifetime and will be sure to look good too.

Clean, clear, natural water with no harmful chemicals or salt! via Clear Water Revival

Natural swimming pools require no harmful chemIcals, are fairly low-tech, and once established call for only a modicum of management. You won’t have to drain the pool each autumn. Except for topping it off due to evaporation, you’ll fill the pool only once. Here are some reasons why I’m seriously thinking about converting our pool, and if we ever put in another pool, I would put in a Natural Pool.

First of all, they are beautiful
The water is clean, crystal clear, pure and soft on the skin and hair, no chemical/chlorine smell or danger to your body
The low maintenance is less costly, and takes less time
They are much more environmentally friendly
They intergrade your garden with your pool
They are affordable-about the same cost as a traditional pool to build, but less ongoing costs
Here is a general blueprint of how a Natural Pool’s filtration system works

BioNova® is one of the leading installers of Natural Pools and Ponds based in Europe with a global network of Partners on 6 continents who work synergistically to push the state-of-the-art of Natural Swimming Pool design, construction, aesthetics and maintenance. With decades of experience they are one place to start if you are seriously thinking about this water feature.

Conversion of your existing chemical-pool can also be easily accomplished. You just need enough space to create a regeneration zone approximately equal to the size of your existing pool. The regeneration zone will vary in depth and will have aquatic plants rooted hydroponically in substrate. Then you must modify the plumbing on your pool to move water from your pool through the regeneration zone.

If you have questions a good source is a blog website sponsored by two industry experts out of the UK; Michael Littlewood of Eco Design Scape and David Nettleton of Clear Water Revival-on Natural Swimming Pools. The best book to show the look and background of these beauties is by pioneer, Michael Littlewood, called Natural Swimming Pools.

Or, better yet, visit Total Habitat, the best known promoter of Natural Pools here in the States. You can download his e-book for more information on the actual building of your very own Natural Pool! Mick, the owner is a wealth of information and provides services from consultation to complete installation all over the United States.

If you have a pool, or are thinking of adding a pool, I encourage you to research and consider installing a natural pool that is safer for you and for the environment…Plus a Little Bit of Beauty™ for sure, COME ON AMERICA, GET WITH THE PROGRAM!

What do you think? Would you enjoy swimming or owning one of these? Let me know what you think in the comment section below. Thanks!

“We expect Nature to deal with all our dirty work for us but make no effort to limit our abuse of her kingdom. Let us therefore resolve to plan and design in harmony with Nature. Michael Littlewood

Comments

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Tags:Gardening, Natural Pool, Natural swimming ponds, Natural Swimming Pools, Pool conversion, Sustainable Pools, Swimming

About Irene Turner

15 Comments

Jolin Halstead 13 years ago
Reply

This could not have been MORE timely! Truly, 5 min. ago I paid the pool man for two weeks worth of “green pool” remedies, only to find I need a new pump… it won’t PRIME! Time, money, YIKES!… not to mention the way your skin feels when you hit a chlorine “shocked” pool! I’m so ready for a natural pool, and seriously, without this information from you… I would NEVER have even considered nor known where to start. Irene you are a dream resource! AND BTW… my house looks amazing after your suggestions. Looking forward to paint colors (I’m liking pale yellow ALOT!
- Author
  
  Irene Turner 13 years ago
  Reply
  
  I’m glad you like the yellow Jolin. It’s such a happy color, sunny, warm and empowering. All good things in our home. I know that when you’re ready you will re-vamp your pool into a natural pond pool, which will be perfect for Fairy Terra. Lot’s of nature/water fairies you know
Joe Dusel 13 years ago
Reply

Wow, those look great! I hate the idea of swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool. It kind of reminds me of when I was a teen in Pennsylvania swimming in the strip mines that were filled with pure spring water. Well, except that the strip mines were about 150 feet deep and there were sometimes rattlesnakes sunning themselves on the rocks nearby.
- Author
  
  Irene Turner 13 years ago
  Reply
  
  Same feel Joe, but no rattlesnakes, and they look a lot prettier! Plus, if you still live in Pennsylvania, you can ice skate on them in the winter…not bad!
Hollywood Cosmetic Dentist 13 years ago
Reply

Wow this is a great idea? How do you keep it up? Do you clean it from time to time or do you let it do its own thing?
- Author
  
  Irene Turner 13 years ago
  Reply
  
  Hi Rosie, This pool has a pump to keep things stirred up and flowing through the plant life. But in general there is no cleaning. It’s more like a pond then a pool, but cleaner, depending on the lining you use

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