When most Americans think of going swimming in someone’s backyard, they envision an in-ground pool from Swimtown Pool Supplies with white or blue tiles. Perhaps a diving board comes to mind, or a hot tub built on the side. What most Americans do not think of are natural swimming pools (or swimming ponds as they’re known in Europe, where the concept emerged around 20 years ago).
Natural swimming ponds are self-cleaning pools that unify water gardens and swimming areas together. The designs and compositions vary; they can be made from rubber lining or reinforced polyethylene, and range from looking very rustic and natural to contemporary. However, all natural pools utilize “regeneration” zones, or areas where aquatic plants thrive and clean the water organically. Skimmers and pumps help the water circulate through the regeneration zone and over rocks or tiles that good bacteria then attach to, creating an additional biological filter. Natural pool water is not murky like traditional artificial ponds, but rather clear enough to see through to the bottom.
So how much do these natural swimming ponds cost? Most cost the same or slightly more than traditional pools, depending on how elaborate the landscaping and design are. A huge draw to this kind of pool is the abundance of plant varieties that can grow in them, as well as the ability to swim in non-chlorinated water. Many green advocates enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility they offer.
The concept behind these pools is attributed to Peter Petrich, the owner of a natural swimming company design company founded in Austria in 1986. According to Petrich, these kinds of pools may not be as popular in the U.S. because many Americans are not as in touch with nature and a relaxed lifestyle as people are in other countries. Additionally, private pools in places like Austria do not require building permits, which are harder to get for projects using obscure technology. Very few companies actually know how to create them, let alone make them ADA compliant as required by U.S. hotel standards. Luckily, there are companies like Global Lift Corp to help out with ADA compliance. Americans also tend to be skeptical about the pools’ cleanliness regardless of water clarity, due largely to the growth of algae.
Certainly, algae is the bane of the natural pool world, mostly for aesthetic reasons. Algae is often a problem the first year a natural swimming pool is created, and then clears up significantly after the floating plants have developed a root system. Regardless, every spring, natural pools will have some algae to deal with. There are, however, ways to lessen the problem. Some natural swimming pond designers install ultraviolet sterilizers in the pump area to limit the growth of algae and eliminate bacteria in the water. Some pool builders still add a small amount of chlorine, but it’s usually less than the amount found in tap water.
Most owners are adamant that once they came around to the idea of their pools as living ecosystems and got a grasp on proper upkeep- keeping plants trim, getting rid of debris, and removing the occasional snake or turtle- they were very satisfied. According to one natural swimming pool owner, he loves watching the seasonal changes. In the spring, the wildflowers pop up in and around the water, and in the winter his pool often ices over with a picturesque effect. There are also endless possibilities to visually enhance the pools and their surroundings, either by adding water plants like marsh marigolds and water lilies, or by the layout of the pools themselves.
Whether the United States will embrace natural swimming pools in the next few decades is yet to be determined. Those who do install them must be patient to allow the ecosystems to adjust and self-regulate. Owners must also accept the inevitability of algae from time to time, as it is a characteristic of healthy water. Overall, natural swimming pools can add a touch of green living, create an environment of tranquility, and enhance the beauty of a private or public space to those looking for a more organic lifestyle.
