Natural swimming pools

Introduction
Natural swimming pools (also called swimming ponds in Europe) are self-cleaning pools
that combine swimming areas and water gardens. No chemicals or devices that
disinfect or sterilize water are used and all cleaning of the water is achieved with the
motion of water through biological filters and plants.
The concept of natural swimming pools originated in Austria in the early 1980s. It has
become popular in many parts of Europe, with hundreds of such pools being
constructed every year. Natural swimming pools are not common in North America.
Only a handful of companies are building such natural pools in the United States and
Canada. This situation is due to a lack of awareness and/or lack of interest from the
population. Technically, building natural swimming pools in Canada is entirely feasible.

Technical details
A natural swimming pool is divided into two areas:
A swimming area that resembles a conventional swimming pool or a pond.
A regeneration zone consisting of a lined overflow pool filled with specific
filtration substrate (sand, gravel, stones, etc.) and vegetation. The biological
processes that clean the water take place in this zone. Plants used for water
regeneration can be supplemented with decorative flowering species to create an
attractive garden environment.
Materials and designs vary but all natural pools rely on regeneration zones, which are
areas given over to aquatic plants that act as organic cleansers. For better results, it is
recommended to use a diversity of locally adapted aquatic plants, including submerged,
emergent and floating plants. The swimming area can be lined with rubber or reinforced
polyethylene and may look rustic or modern. To ensure the water will be clear, the
swimming area should reach a depth of at least 2m.
The pools have skimmers and pumps that circulate the water through the regeneration
zone and draw it across a wall of rocks, loose gravel or tiles, to which bacteria attach,
serving as an additional biological filter. Unlike artificial ponds, which tend to be murky
with groundwater runoff and sediment from soil erosion, natural pools have clear water
that allows seeing through to the bottom.
In natural water, the main filter is the whole water body, as each part of water is
constantly being filtered by microscopic organisms. In a swimming pond, it is also
essential to keep the nutrient levels very low, to ensure that single-celled algae is
controlled by zooplankton, and to prevent the growth of larger weeds. To do this the
water is filtered through shingle and other mediums using a small pump. Plants also
perform a useful function taking nutrients out of the water as they grow. By keeping the
levels of key nutrients low and in balance, algae is not able to grow and the result is
clear, clean and healthy swimming water. Below is a very simplified drawing of how
such a natural filter system works.




Design
There are an almost infinite number of landscaping and design possibilities. The
regeneration zone can be along the perimeter of the swimming area or on one side of it.
It can also be at a certain distance, with a canal or piping to connect the two zones.
The pictures below illustrate the diversity of natural swimming pools.












Maintenance
Maintenance of a natural swimming pool is minimal. Once installed, water gets filtered
and circulated through the system without additional work. Most of the required
maintenance relates to trimming dead plants, fishing debris out of the swimming area
and removing the occasional turtle or other small animals that would end up in the
swimming area.
Natural swimming pools can become overgrown with algae. This tends to be a problem
in the first year of a pools existence but it usually clears up significantly once the plants
have grown large and developed a root system, removing the nutrients from the water.
The pool will most likely go through an algae phase every spring, but the growth of the
plants in early summer removes nutrients from the water, which addresses the situation.
Mosquitoes are usually not a problem because natural predators such as water gliders
and dragonflies feast on them in the plant area.

Benefits
In addition to their low maintenance, natural swimming pools bring a range of other
benefits to their owners, both in terms of saving resources and of creating a sustainable
facility.
Water savings: because a natural swimming pool does not need to be emptied
every autumn, thousands of litres of water could be saved.
Energy efficiency: energy costs are absent or minimal since the water warms
up naturally as it circulates through the shallow regeneration zone. Since there is
no electric filter, less energy is required to operate the pool. The circulating pump
can also be operated quite easily using a photovoltaic cell.
Health benefits: no chemicals are used in the natural swimming pools.
Traditional pools disinfects water with chlorine, which is a skin irritant and
produces chemical compounds called trihalomethanes, known to be dangerous
to humans and pets. Not having to use chemicals for the maintenance of the
natural swimming pool also saves time and expense.
Wildlife habitat: swimming ponds provide a protected habitat for wildlife
including amphibians, insects and many species of birds.
Beauty: natural swimming pools are more aesthetically pleasing than their
conventional counterparts. There are no unsightly views of an empty pool in
winter, which collects leaves and debris and has to be cleaned out every spring.
Natural pools blend easily into the surrounding environment. They offer a wide
variety of opportunities for the creation of natural features such as rock pools,
beaches, waterfalls, streams and lily ponds. A very interesting water garden not
just a swimming pool can be created that will provide users with hours of fun
and enjoyment.
Educational resource: a natural swimming pool can serve as an educational
resource for children. They also provide a good opportunity to understand and
apply the permaculture principles. Building a natural swimming pool creates a
very good opportunity to apply the Permaculture Design Process (focus, reflect,
observe, imagine, design, implement, review & refine).

Permaculture principles
The construction and operation of a natural swimming pool can be enhanced in applying
the basic permaculture principles.

1) Observe, learn and work with nature
Understand the natural conditions of the site. Try to use plants that are naturally
growing in the area. Observe the topography of the site and take advantage of
natural drainage flows to enhance circulation in the pond.
2) Smart small and slow
Enhance the regeneration area as time goes. Start with a number of plants and
add a variety of plants for better filtration results and better aesthetics.
3) Multiple functions
Make sure the regeneration area can provide habitat for birds, amphibians,
insects and other animals in addition to providing the filtration function. It may
facilitate the raising of ducks, which provide eggs and meat. In winter, the
swimming pool will freeze and can be used as a skating ring.
4) Redundancy
A diversity of plants in the regeneration area will reduce the likelihood of failure. If
a species is affected by a disease or other conditions that make it die, there will
be other plants to perform the required filtration services for the pool.
5) Beneficial relationships
Choose plants that will attract birds and insects feeding on mosquitoes.

6) Biological and renewable resources
Use solar power for the pump. Consider integrating freshwater mussels if
possible to help filter the water. Allow your ducks to feed on those mussels to
control population. Let the ecosystem finds its equilibrium.
7) Cycling resources and energy
Use the regeneration area to recycle the households gray water (only if the
soaps used in the house are nitrogen and phosphorus free).
8) Diversity and edges
Natural swimming pool systems offer a huge potential to increase the diversity of
the site. Various plants can be used to provide such diversity, which will attract
diverse species of animals. There are an infinite possibility of design options
creating edges and microclimates.
9) Evolution and succession
A natural swimming pool is an evolving ecosystem. Natural succession of plants
and associate wildlife will happen through years. The idea of incorporating forest
gardens in association with swimming ponds is an interesting one that should be
pursued once the system has been in operation for a few years.
10) Be creative
Possibilities are endless with natural swimming pools. A long term goal could be
to provide a natural swimming area that is also a beautiful haven for meditation, a
wildlife habitat and a water forest garden!!

References
Several sources have been consulted to prepare this document. The main ones are
listed below:
Gartenart Swimming Ponds. 2012. http://www.gartenart.co.uk/
Holmgren, David. 2002. Permaculture: principles & pathways beyond sustainability. 286
pages
Inspiration Green, 2012. http://inspirationgreen.com/natural-pools-swimming-
ponds.html.
Kurutz, Steven. 2007. From Europe, a no-chlorine backyard pool. Article published in
the New York Times on April 5, 2007.
Littlewood, Michael. 2011. The benefits of natural swimming pools. Excerpt from his
book called Natural Swimming Pools: Conventional Pool Conversion.