Natural Pools or Natural Swimming Ponds (NSPs)
Let nature clean the water...



Chemical-free water garden and swimming pool. The plant portion, or regeneration zone, is separated from the swimming area by the wall seen a few inches below the water’s surface. www.naturalswimmingpools.com




The pools have skimmers and pumps that circulate the water through the regeneration zone and back into the swimming area. The aquatic plants filter out contaminants and use nutrients from the water as food which helps prevent algae. Then rocks, such as granite river rock or haydite, to which friendly bacteria attach, act as biological filters. More questions answered here: www.ecodesignscape.co.uk & www.gartenart.co.uk




There are many options as to design. Beneficial bacteria (micro-organisms and microbes) colonize the rock and help cleanse the water. www.clear-water-revival.com




A gradual slope contains the plants, gravel and loamy sand, a wall keeps them separate from the swimming area.




Vacuum but twice a year and tend to the plants as needed. The plants will need to be cut back in the fall so they do not die in the pool. www.naturalswimmingpools.com




The regeneration zone can be along the perimeter of a natural pool or a pond unto itself but connected to the swimming area. www.gartenart.co.uk




For a true natural pool with no help from ultraviolet light or other such technology, the requirement is half swimming area, half regeneration area. www.biotop-natural-pool.com




Plants steel the nutrients away from algae. www.gartenart.co.uk





Half regeneration area, half swimming pool. www.living-pool.eu




Natural predators such as water striders and dragonflies will come to live in the enrichment area and feast on mosquitoes. If you chose to have a skimmer installed this will keep mosquitoes in check as well. Woodhouse demo pool - www.naturalswimmingpools.com




Use your pool as an ice rink in winter, as there is no need for a cover.  www.gartenart.co.uk




A first year pool will need at least 60 days to self-adjust, but installing an ultraviolet sterilizer in the pump area will have you swimming almost immediately. www.clear-water-revival.com




Note the plant pond to the right. In France: www.bioteich.fr




The pools are most popular in Austria, where a company called Biotop has been designing them for residential and public use since 1986. Pic: www.homeexteriorinterior.com




Two-tiered, the waterfall helps oxygenate the pool. naturalpoolsnz.com




A hybrid natural pool usually has two circulation pumps. One where water is circulated through the plant and rock filters before being discharged back to the bottom of the pond. The second surface circulation system pulls water through one or two skimmers filtering out floating debris. Water drawn through the skimmers passes through some type of filter system, such as a UV filter and/or a biofilter—essentially a box filled with bacteria-laden bio-media—before returning to the pool. A waterfall helps with oxygenation. South Africa: www.naturalswimmingpools.co.za

Love the deck amongst the water plants. An original Biotop pool - www.biotop-natural-pool.com




Access through an enrichment area. www.clear-water-revival.com




Love the diving boards. www.naturalswimmingpools.com




Natural pool in the UK  www.clear-water-revival.com




Convert a pond into a swimming pond. Mother Earth News says there are a few options as to liners - bentonite clay to seal the soil or a synthetic liner. If you choose a synthetic, they recommend ethylene propylene diene monomer rather than PVC. www.motherearthnews.com www.gartenart.co.uk




Ice skate in the winter.  www.gartenart.co.uk




No chemicals so the water is soft. www.gartenart.co.uk





Close up of a Do it Yourself kit from www.clear-water-revival.com





Northeast U.S. (Western Massachusetts)
Chris Rawlings, Water House Pools, waterhousepools.com

New free-form construction. www.clear-water-revival.com




Conventional pools can also be converted to natural pools; above is an internal conversion. www.gartenart.co.uk





Convert your existing pool into a natural pool. www.bionovanaturalpools.com See pics of a conversion process here: www.clear-water-revival.com




Conversion with added beach. www.bionovanaturalpools.com



Plants instead of chemicals -- have you ever thought about how many pounds of chemicals go into a typical swimming pool?

Plants: A range of aquatic plants are used -- submerged (oxygenators), floating, shallow marginals, deep marginals, bog/marsh and waterside species. Whenever possible, it is best to use indigenous plants. Some examples of typical water plants: cattails, bulrushes, sedges, duckweed and water lilies.



Do it Yourself:

www.motherearthnews.com

www.schwimmteich-selbstbau.de  In German

www.naturalswimmingpools.com -construction images

Natural Swimming Pools Book by Michael Littlewood www.amazon.com


Builders:

EU:

Biotop since 1984 with more than 3,500 satisfied customers. Their partner network covers 17 countries. Head Office: Austria www.biotop-natural-pool.com

BioNova® is 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. Head Office: Munich www.bionovanaturalpools.com

OASE: www.oase-livingwater.com

UK:

GartenArt  www.gartenart.co.uk

Woodhouse Natural Pools with BIOTOP™ have been developing and building naturally filtered swimming pools in the UK since 2000. www.naturalswimmingpools.com

Clear Water Revival www.clear-water-revival.com  sell KITS as well...

France:

Bioteich Baignades Naturelles www.bioteich.fr

U.S.

Total Habitat, Kansas  www.totalhabitat.com

Expanding Horizons, Calif  expandinghorizons.biz

Pond Doctor Dave, Arizona - does conversions www.pond-doctor-dave.com

Water House Pools, Massachusetts www.waterhousepools.com

Rin Robyn Pools, New Jersey & MA. rinrobyn.com

Kane Brothers, Illinois. kanebros.com

Canada:

Tumber & Associates Landscape Consultants, Ont. www.tumber.ca
Genus Loci Ecological Landscapes, Ont. www.genus-loci.ca

New Zealand:

Natural Pools  naturalpoolsnz.com

South Africa:

www.naturalswimmingpools.co.za nice designs!

Write a comment

• Required fields are marked with *.

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Comment: *

Help prevent spam - enter security code above:
 

Showing comments 1 to 50 of 70 | Next | Last

Taylor
Posts: 69

Info.
Reply #70 on : Wed May 15, 2013, 11:56:43

---

This is awesome and I would love to be able to build one of these in my yard. Any information would be great. Can't wait to learn more about this. Thanks!

Ashely Wallberg
Posts: 69

http://www.poolbargains.com/pool-pumps/above-ground-pumps.html
Reply #69 on : Wed May 15, 2013, 01:04:49

---

Wow! These are amazing! This was a very good idea. They look like natural ponds.

Zach Petersen
Posts: 69

I would love more info on building these types of pools
Reply #68 on : Wed May 08, 2013, 15:59:04

---

Please send me anything and everything regarding building and photos of these types of pools. They are absolutely beautiful! Thanks,

Z

JOhn Ryan
Posts: 69

send me ifomation on it
Reply #67 on : Fri May 03, 2013, 18:12:25

---

Send me information Thank you

Francisco
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #66 on : Mon April 15, 2013, 11:31:04

---

what effects will urine, drinks, sunblock, hair products, food, and other random unnatural crap that might find its way into the pool have on the plants and quality of the water?

MadSCAR
Posts: 69

MadSCAR
Reply #65 on : Tue April 02, 2013, 05:09:49

---

Love it! :)

Erika Baker
Posts: 69

natural pools
Reply #64 on : Sat January 26, 2013, 07:37:04

---

About seven years ago I wanted a swimming pool. Yet, I wanted it to look natural. Be natural. What you have created .. words can not express my feelings. Bravo! Thank you. Now I know how to begin.

Matt
Posts: 69

Existing Pond
Reply #63 on : Wed January 23, 2013, 14:08:42

---

Is the liner absolutely necessary? I have an existing pond that would not be too difficult to separate a deep side for swimming, and a shallow side for plants/filtering, but would like to avoid the added cost of a liner.

P.M. Bechtold
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #62 on : Sun January 06, 2013, 14:49:06

---

I have an indoor pool, but really hoped to put in a lap pool outside. This would be a terrific way to do this. We would probably need a separate pond to satisfy the lovely Blue Herons, but that can be easily done. All would be in keeping with the natural and green place we are fortunate to have, and add to our sons' inheritance and love of this wooded and field place where they have grown.

Sue
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #61 on : Wed December 05, 2012, 18:07:58

---

They're beautiful but too many straight lines for 'natural' pools.

Anita Nelson
Posts: 69

snakes
Reply #60 on : Wed November 28, 2012, 12:57:24

---

I LOVE the swimming pond idea but i am nervous about building one in South Texas where a poisonous snake, the Water Moccasin is quite common.

Pandy Dierking
Posts: 69

natural Pools
Reply #59 on : Mon November 26, 2012, 00:41:15

---

wow, living in a dessert, this looks absolutely amazing! Enjoy your water features!

christina aarts
Posts: 69

pool withpout chemicals
Reply #58 on : Sat November 24, 2012, 05:03:10

---

But how about evaporation here on the Equator?

Patricia Twitter: @patriciastreete
Posts: 69

Passing through and saw your awsome post
Reply #57 on : Fri November 23, 2012, 23:15:10

---

These are the types of pools you see on MTV cribs. These photos are amazing. Thank you for the insperation!

Rick Craswell
Posts: 69

Costa Rica
Reply #56 on : Thu November 22, 2012, 23:08:26

---

Do you work in Costa Rica?

Kris Bartlett
Posts: 69

tubes and pump
Reply #55 on : Mon November 19, 2012, 20:57:57

---

can you explain how big the tubes need to be and type of pump needed. I am in the process of installing a pond and saw this natural pool. I would like to change my design. Is there anyone in Costa Rica that has done one of these pools? I could offer free stay for some help here.

Lulu
Posts: 69

natural swimmimg pool
Reply #54 on : Mon November 19, 2012, 18:23:54

---

Wowww
Can someone help me? I had a lot to make a shrine where I can retire and other who does not had a place can come and visit too.

Rhonda
Posts: 69

Slime
Reply #53 on : Sat October 20, 2012, 13:40:41

---

Is everything slimey like in natural ponds. I can't even think about stepping into slime. *shudder*

estela salvatierra
Posts: 69

natural ponds
Reply #52 on : Fri October 05, 2012, 14:21:51

---

Beautiful natural ponds, wish to make one in my house.
It is a gift to enjoy swimming like if we were in nature

Md Rezaul Karim
Posts: 69

Swimming pool
Reply #51 on : Fri September 28, 2012, 05:24:26

---

Excellent work.

nasir
Posts: 69

pools
Reply #50 on : Thu September 27, 2012, 03:37:13

---

does anyone know the exact function of the river rocks/aggregate in the filter area?

Rua Lupa
Posts: 69

Passive Pools
Reply #49 on : Thu September 20, 2012, 10:11:24

---

"it should be possible to achieve swimming quality water without electric pumps by using gravity (slop over a bund) to force filtering and convection (by heating and cooling) to force circulation." - Graeme

Where can I find this? I am most interested in passive design, which doesn't rely on electrical intervention to work. Are there other potential methods to accomplish this too?

Graeme
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #48 on : Wed September 19, 2012, 18:21:44

---

Thanks Inspiration Green,
Hope the other topics are as interesting.
Marian (reply#44 below), your post looks somewhat cynical but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume your query is serious.
Ducks are not recommended they carry human gastro. pathogens especially if there are sources such as sewage ponds nearby(30km). I have exeperience of mountain lakes 3 days walk from the roadend that are unfit for drinking from because of this.
If you let the water fester it is likely to do nasty things to your skin as well as stink, but it should be possible to achieve swimming quality water without electric pumps by using gravity (slop over a bund) to force filtering and convection (by heating and cooling) to force circulation. Having said that a 12 volt bilge pump is dirt cheap and moves surprisingly large amounts of water.

Rick
Posts: 69

Starting my Pond
Reply #47 on : Tue August 28, 2012, 07:15:30

---

I live in Tampa Florida and have a 10,000 gallon pool in the backyard. It has been raining pretty much every evening for the past month, so I stopped putting chemicals in it. We now have tadpoles in the pool. My wife jokingly said that she always wanted a pond in the backyard. I started researching pools being converted into ponds and stumbled upon this website. I would love as much information as possible. Thanks

designindoor
Posts: 69

interior design
Reply #46 on : Sun August 26, 2012, 20:34:35

---

wow, never imagine of this pond could be so lovely like this....amazing. Thumbs up

Jose L
Posts: 69

Builders in Spain
Reply #45 on : Wed August 22, 2012, 10:29:30

---

These pools are great! Does anyone know any buider in Spain? We are a group and we want to create an ecologic village, it would be nice if we could have something like that.

SmarterThanYou
Posts: 69

RE: Natural, chemical free comment
Reply #44 on : Wed August 15, 2012, 12:06:51

---

@marian 1) Pointing out the fact that water is a chemical is just being a smartass. I'm thinking the company was hoping people weren't that ignorant to take things so literally.
2) Again, over-analyzing a comment which was referring to UV light that has been created with Technology, not the natural Sun produced UV rays.
3) Your use of the word 'silly' in each of your statements so far is just 'silly' - learn some different adjectives.
4) Fester your water away and swim with duck-poo and be the good ol' "natural" hillbilly you are!

Marian
Posts: 69

Natural, chemical free comment
Reply #43 on : Tue August 14, 2012, 07:43:33

---

Hi:

I just wanted to comment on a few things:

(1) Water is a chemical, so saying it's free of "chemicals" is kind of silly.
(2) Sunlight is comprised of UV rays, so saying that you would get a "true natural pool with no help from ultraviolet light" is silly, unless you plan to erect a natural shield of jungle plants over your pond that completely blocks out all sunlight, of course.
(3) Putting the word "natural" in front of everything is a bit like trying to paint bat guano gold and passing it off as the next christmas-tree ornament craze. A bit silly no?
(4) It sounds like there is a lot of maintenance to be done with these Natural Swimming Pools, or NSPs (because everything needs an acronym to sound more official). Is there any way I can just let some water fester in my backyard and do without the expensive gizmos that filter the water to make it safe and healthy like most modern non-NSP pools do? You see, I'm going all natural: duck feces, insects, and all. I'm just wondering how I could write a book and make a few bucks trying to sell this to anyone who has money to burn. Any ideas?

Carlos Schaffer
Posts: 69

Information
Reply #42 on : Sun August 12, 2012, 15:21:19

---

Thanks at lot for your site. Would send me more information about natural recovers or sintetyc recovers but adecuate for my spool?

Thanks again

Gerry Gerrard
Posts: 69

Natural Pools
Reply #41 on : Wed August 01, 2012, 02:24:06

---

Wow!

I want one!!!!!!!

All I need now is a garden big enough to install one in.

And the money to pay for it to be done.

Ukjay
Posts: 69

Ultimate Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #40 on : Sun July 29, 2012, 21:12:41

---

It looks really natural and Awesome.

insane membrane
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #39 on : Fri July 27, 2012, 16:32:29

---

absolutely stunning ...

Carmenza isaza
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #38 on : Wed July 11, 2012, 11:28:23

---

Ojalá y pudieran poner traducción a esta página, a mi me pareció muy buena, lastima que no puedo leerla....solo verla...

Don/Glee Papczynski
Posts: 69

Love these ponds
Reply #37 on : Sat July 07, 2012, 20:11:27

---

We have a koi pond that is now 6 years old and mature enought to have a successful biosystem with a bog that works much like the plant/filter area. I can definately see how this would work and I want one! I am hoping I can talk hubby into it. Frogs and snakes may show up but hey don't like the splashing a person makes in the water and they clear out. It's all part of the fun in knowing it is healthy and clean! Thank you for the inspiration! I'm in Indiana - any help near us?

Aksana
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #36 on : Thu July 05, 2012, 04:32:57

---

it's very beautiful

Amparo Ureña
Posts: 69

2 pools in Valle de Bravo FundacamIAP
Reply #35 on : Thu June 28, 2012, 19:59:21

---

We are a Social Foundation in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, I wish you could tell me if you can help us to make an ecological pool in our place,or if there is a distribuitor here in Mexico. Please send me the address. Our website www.fundacam.org.mx

Anonymous
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #34 on : Sat June 16, 2012, 13:50:19

---

@Keiren, you don't have to over-winter! We are in Central Eastern Europe where we have hot summers and cold winters, the plants are just thinned out in the fall and bounce back to life in the spring :)

Anonymous
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #33 on : Sat June 16, 2012, 13:44:31

---

@fernando. The natural pool is designed in such a way that it warms itself. The shallow regeneration and plant filter areas warm quickly in the sun and the free flow of water into the swimming area can raise the natural temperature of the whole pond to 28 degrees Celsius during the summer periods. Also, natural water is gentler on the skin than a chemically treated pool, so colder temperatures in a chlorinated pool do not necessarily feel cold in a natural pool.
http://www.ekopool.cz/en/faq
It is possible to heat the pool with a conventional heating element - the effect this will have on the plants will be that they grow faster!

Keiren
Posts: 69

Heating a natural swimming pond.
Reply #32 on : Sat June 16, 2012, 11:19:53

---

Rare to find a plant that likes 90 degree water in the summer and freezing temps in the winter. Depends on your climate. If in a cold clime, you would have to overwinter all the plants indoors!

Fernando De Haro
Posts: 69

Heating
Reply #31 on : Sat June 16, 2012, 07:56:51

---

Can you heat the pools?, what effect does to plants?

Anonymous
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #30 on : Tue June 12, 2012, 12:08:14

---

Mosquitoes are eaten by their natural enemies, such as water striders, damselflies, larvae, etc.  Mosquitoes breed in still and stagnant water, as opposed to the living and flowing water which is present in a natural pool.

jay tea
Posts: 69

Mosquitos?
Reply #29 on : Mon June 11, 2012, 09:37:52

---

These things look like a Mosquito Haven ... without fish to eat the larva or chemicals to repell them .

Anonymous
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #28 on : Sat June 02, 2012, 14:25:14

---

Oh, and no fish - they' have too much impact on water quality! :) Have a separate pond next to your swim pond for your fish.

Anonymous
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #27 on : Sat June 02, 2012, 14:21:57

---

@Anita Jean! Let your natural pool/pond freeze over in the winter, but make sure if you build it's large enough so that you can ICE SKATE on it :). In our system, you just literally turn off the pump and that's it.

Anonymous
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #26 on : Sat June 02, 2012, 14:17:01

---

@Brenda, Biotop now do a 'living pool' with a blue pool liner (though I prefer the grey, personally) that functions the same as the natural pool but looks like a traditional pool.

http://www.ekopool.cz/en/living-pools/

A pool robot must be incorporated to clean the 'biofilm' off these lighter coloured liners.
Please feel free to ask me any questions (but not down to a molecular level :d)

Anonymous
Posts: 69

Re: Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds
Reply #25 on : Sat June 02, 2012, 14:06:23

---

Great site! Please check out our website and tell me what you think! I hope these pools infiltrate (haha) the US soon!

http://www.ekopool.cz/en/

Please like us on FB if you do! :)

brenda
Posts: 69

Natural Pools
Reply #24 on : Fri June 01, 2012, 21:30:44

---

Wow! These pools are awesome but it's a little scary specially when you are used to the pool's blue-colored water. Anyway, what pool pumps do these use? Can I use a http://www.gadgetsgo.com/Hayward-EcoStar-SP3400VSP-pool-pumps-swimming-pool-and-in-ground-pool/ or is there a preferred type for this?

janice rich
Posts: 69

companies in ny?
Reply #23 on : Fri May 25, 2012, 19:08:29

---

Are there any companies in NY that do this?

Nona297
Posts: 1

To Anita,
Reply #22 on : Tue May 22, 2012, 08:43:37

---

Hi Anita,
Thanks for writing. Natural swimming pools are already very popular throughout Europe, including northern Germany and in the Swiss Alps. A public pool opened near Stockholm, Sweden in 2010. I would guess the only place they might not work is in extreme latitudes where a short growing season would prevent proper filtration, that sounds really far north though.

As to fish, bacteria counts in a natural pool will be much lower than in a natural lake, so I do not see why not. You would need to feed them though, as much of their natural food is being filtered away. I personally would wait until after the food is consumed before going in! I would also consider not doing any real swimming or splashing in the pool as I am sure this would scare or possibly harm the fish, unless the pool is large enough and they have time to go and hide. Best, K

Anita-Jean Anderson
Posts: 69

weather
Reply #21 on : Sun May 20, 2012, 06:46:28

---

How well would a natural pool, such as the ones shown, do with a Utah winter? Also, would it be possible to incorporate fish (such as Koi) into a design or would they pose a health risk ? And, I thank you all for bringing such a wonderful idea to my attention !!! Sincerely, Anita









9

Showing comments 1 to 50 of 70 | Next | Last