Natural Swimming Pools
Natural Swimming Pools
Natural swimming pools are quickly becoming the rage in north America. With the show “The Pool Master” featuring Anthony Archer Wills launching the awareness. Although swim pond builders have been building natural pools in Austria for over thirty-five years now. With over 20,000 natural pools being built since 1983. With the pioneers like D I Werner Gamerith, and companies like BioTop. All of which are still providing their owners with clear water and complete satisfaction.
The united states finally starting to catch on. Better late than never.
In the past there was no alternative to chemical filled pools for urban environments. Which permaculture founder Bill Mollison perfectly describes as:
When seen from the air or high vantage point, they resemble a virulent aquamarine rash. The color is artificial and the chemicals used are biocides. Chlorine, which is used extensively, is being dumped into our drinking, bathing and swimming waters where it forms carcinogenic chloroform. – Permaculture – A Designer’s Manual
All we can say is that the pool builders didn’t know any better.
Now we have an alternative – a ecological swimming pool designed with nature. Most natural pools are purified and cleaned with a combination of plants and microorganisms (beneficial bacteria). Similar to that of a ecosystem pond, giving you a strong connection to nature but more suitable for swimming.
Benefits of Natural Swimming Pools:
- No expensive yearly chemicals (biocides)
- No worries for people with sensitive skin or eye problems
- Water feels softer
- Offer delight all year round when traditional pools are covered up or empty holes
- Connection to nature with wildlife such as birds and frogs in the regeneration zones
- Easy and less costly to maintain
- More environmentally friendly
The Natural Swim Pool System
Natural swimming ponds are basically a combination of a swimming area and a plant area that uses living systems for filtration instead of chemicals. There is a variety of materials used depending on the specific project. But most contain a deck to hide biological filters and pumps, liner, surface skimmer, a planted shoreline for natural appearance, and a self-cleaning regeneration zone filter system.
The interaction of the sunlight, water, gases, plants, creatures, and minerals ensure clean and healthy water.
The larger the pond the better-balanced it will be. As the water volume doesn’t allow rapid fluctuations like a small swim pond.
Videos of Natural Pools
Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Swimming Ponds
Minnesota is an example of one of the first natural public swimming pools in the united states. Weber Park.
They test the water daily (you should too) for bacteria and publish their results online.
Example:
E. coli (MPN/100 ml): 1
Enterococci (MPN/100 ml): 16
P. Aeruginosa (MPN/100 ml): 2
Water Temp (°F): 71.9
It has been found that reed plants (make sure water is flowing slowly through reed beds for effective filtration) may be more effect than chlorine in preventing E. coli contamination (comes from human and animal waste).
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