Natural Swimming pools
- Danielle Klaff
- Apr 16, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: May 28, 2019
Natural Swimming Pools are a chemical-free, low-maintenance alternative to traditional chlorine/salt pools.
The water is clean, crystal-clear, and filtered naturally using a built-in biological filter. Instead of dumping toxic (and expensive) chemicals into a sterile, chlorine pool each summer, surround yourself with the beauty and tranquility of nature. Create the Natural Swimming Pool or Pond of your dreams and swim as nature intended it!
Have you ever seen how many pounds of chemicals go into a typical swimming pool? Have you ever read the warning labels on the chemicals used to sterilize typical swimming pools? The basic philosophy behind water quality in a typical swimming pool is to kill everything short of killing the swimmer.
There is another way.
· Clean, Clear Water With No Chemicals (and no mud on the bottom)
· Affordable (about the same cost as a traditional pool to build with less ongoing costs- chemicals for traditional pools can run over R1000 a year)
· Low Maintenance (much less than a traditional pool)
· Year Round Beauty & Fun
· Solar Heating (for extended swimming opportunities)
· Water Feature Therapy (which we can all use)
· All Sizes & Shapes (residential to commercial, with added waterfalls, streams, decks, and patios)
The Basics
In the most popular model, the swimming area is separated from the planted, biological filter area and a waterfall offers pleasant music and valuable aeration. A skimmer collects large debris and a UV sterilizer polishes off the water cleaning process and assures biological safety.
Why choose a natural swimming pool over a chlorinated pool?
Swimming in a chlorinated pool is refreshing and enjoyable on a hot day, but pales in comparison to the experience of swimming in a natural body of water. A swim in a natural pond does not leave you with itchy red eyes, dry skin or wanting a shower, which is common after swimming in chlorinated water.
In addition to providing a beautiful garden aesthetic, natural pools have many other advantages, including:
· excellent water quality
· chemical-free water treatment
· creating habitat for wildlife and flora
· reduced maintenance costs over conventional pools
How a natural swimming pool operates
Mimicking the biodiversity and function of the natural environment, natural swimming ponds have separate zones for swimming and water purification. Designs can vary, as well as the recommended sizes and ratios.
Minimum pool size recommendations range from 30 to 50 square meters, but we have also seen much smaller pools that function quite well.
Depending on design, swimming zones typically comprise 50 to 70% of the total water surface area; the rest is dedicated to filtration. Water is pumped to shallow areas with abundant plant life and aggregate that act as natural filters, keeping water pure and clear.
In order for plants to thrive, pH levels should be maintained between 5.5 and 7. If the pool is well-designed and located, it should require less maintenance than a conventional pool.
Surface area
The larger (and deeper) a pool is, the less likely it is to develop an algae problem. A minimum total area of 45 to 50 square meters is recommended for a healthy pool.
Depth
A deeper pool will mean a cooler water temperature, which might mean a slower start to your swimming season, but perhaps a more refreshing dip in the full heat of the summer. Somewhere between one and two meters will protect living organisms during winter, and in true Goldilocks fashion should be not too hot, not too cold, but just right.
Proportions of shade and sun
The sun promotes algae growth and photosynthesis, so the less exposure to sun the better. Sunny areas can be naturally shaded with floating leaves that will slow algae growth and protect aquatic life.
Less mosquitoes, not more!
According to Mick Hilleary, pond specialist and founder of Total Habitat, moving water and the natural predators of mosquito larvae that will inhabit chlorine-free water will make natural swimming pools practically mosquito free.
In addition, having a natural swimming pond in your garden can actually work to reduce the population of stinging insects, by attracting dragonflies and other natural predators of fully developed mosquitoes.
Swim surrounded by wildlife
Plants, some insects, amphibians and other aquatic life are part of the ecosystem of a natural swimming pond. You end up sharing your swim with all the life (stationary and mobile) who keep your pool clean and clear.
This is very appealing to many, while others may at first be a little reticent. Keep in mind - these little creatures will have no interest in you and are likely quicker swimmers than you, so relax and enjoy.
Aquatic life
Insects, snails and amphibians: they feed on each other, ensure healthy water and the charm of a natural pond.
Daphnia
These microscopic creatures are common in most lakes and ponds. They play an important role in regulating the cycles of nitrates, phosphates and phytoplankton. They are predators of bacteria and are an important source of food for other aquatic life.
Plants
Three kinds of plants typically regulate the natural cycle of swimming ponds:
1) Floating plants: Water lilies and other floating plants rooted in the bottom provide shade and protect micro-organisms from UV rays.
2) Oxygenating plants: By absorbing nitrates and phosphates, submerged and free floating plants contribute to the ecological balance of the pool and play an important role in slowing the growth of algae.
3) Biological filters: As water passes through the fibrous root structure of plants, micro-organisms concentrated on the root system act as a natural filter, removing contaminants and excess nutrients from the water.
Fish or no fish
Introducing fish into your pool can be a very enticing concept, adding an entirely new dimension to the ecosystem, as well as your swimming experience. Keep in mind - including fish in your swimming pond will lead to fish excrement as well, which facilitates the growth of algae.
Additional maintenance is required with the inclusion of fish in your pond, so prepare yourself for that
Maintenance and winter preparation for natural pools
Maintenance of a natural pool falls into a completely different category than that of a chlorinated pool. Caring for a natural environment makes pond maintenance more like gardening than the chemistry you would be performing with a conventional pool. Different ponds will require different levels of maintenance; what they all have in common in this climate is the need to prepare for winter.
Do the following towards the end of the season while the leaves are still on the trees:
Prune plants and use a skimmer net to remove organic materials from the surface of the water. Cover the pond surface with a net to prevent the accumulation of leaves and debris
DIY natural swimming pools
For anyone that wants to try a DIY pond, the costs will be much lower. This will require some research, time and effort, but that can be time well spent.
As is always the case with DIY projects, there are lots of videos available detailing many designs and construction methods where you can find inspiration.
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