The Beauty of Natural Swimming Pools, Minus The Chemicals
Keep your skin and the environment healthy with a pool that cleans itself, naturally
Falon Mihalic
11 January 2017
Houzz Contributor. Landscape Architect in Texas and Florida and owner of Falon Land Studio LLC. Through landscape design, I create spaces for quiet reflection and lush gardens using native plant palettes and sustainable stormwater techniques. I'm a contributing writer to Houzz so that I can be active in the conversation about sustainable design for residential projects. Learn more about my company's work at falonland.com
Houzz Contributor. Landscape Architect in Texas and Florida and owner of Falon Land... More
Summer’s heat is not far behind the bursting of spring blooms and windy rains. This summer imagine yourself cooling off by floating in a backyard pool that feels immersed in nature.
Natural swimming pools use plants or a combination of plants and sand filters to keep the water clean and clear without chemicals. They were developed in Austria and Germany in the 1980s and have since grown in popularity worldwide. They can be designed in a multitude of ways: Some look like natural ponds; others may be disguised as standard tiled pools.
Whatever look you are trying to achieve, the principles of function are the same for both natural swimming pools and traditional ones. But natural pools are better for your hair and skin because they’re chemical free.
Natural swimming pools use plants or a combination of plants and sand filters to keep the water clean and clear without chemicals. They were developed in Austria and Germany in the 1980s and have since grown in popularity worldwide. They can be designed in a multitude of ways: Some look like natural ponds; others may be disguised as standard tiled pools.
Whatever look you are trying to achieve, the principles of function are the same for both natural swimming pools and traditional ones. But natural pools are better for your hair and skin because they’re chemical free.
How they work.
Natural swimming pools rely on a constructed wetland of plants and gravel to filter the water in an area called the regeneration zone. This zone is like a water garden; a variety of plants selected by a natural pool specialist or a landscape architect create an ecosystem that cleans the pool water.
Natural swimming pools rely on a constructed wetland of plants and gravel to filter the water in an area called the regeneration zone. This zone is like a water garden; a variety of plants selected by a natural pool specialist or a landscape architect create an ecosystem that cleans the pool water.
How the zones interact.
The regeneration zone’s size and depth are related to the volume of water to be cleaned. The planted zone is shallower than the swimming area. Clean water slowly flows from the planted zone into the swimming zone.
A specialised water skimmer removes large debris that falls on the water’s surface in the swim zone. The skimmer is fitted with a fine sieve that removes small debris before the water is circulated into a biological filter. Additional equipment, like UV light filters and filters that use sand to remove phosphorous, is helpful in maintaining the balance in a natural pool system.
The regeneration zone’s size and depth are related to the volume of water to be cleaned. The planted zone is shallower than the swimming area. Clean water slowly flows from the planted zone into the swimming zone.
A specialised water skimmer removes large debris that falls on the water’s surface in the swim zone. The skimmer is fitted with a fine sieve that removes small debris before the water is circulated into a biological filter. Additional equipment, like UV light filters and filters that use sand to remove phosphorous, is helpful in maintaining the balance in a natural pool system.
How much space do you need?
Natural swimming pools can be small enough for an urban yard or extra large for a rural property. The relationship between the regeneration and swimming zones can also vary depending on the space available. For instance, a rectilinear pool can be designed as the swimming area, with the water circulation apparatus running underground to the regeneration zone. In the most common setup, the regeneration zone is directly adjacent to the swimming zone, as shown here, with edges that allow for a specific volume of water to flow over the edge. Generally, the size of the zones should be equal for adequate water cleansing.
Natural swimming pools can be small enough for an urban yard or extra large for a rural property. The relationship between the regeneration and swimming zones can also vary depending on the space available. For instance, a rectilinear pool can be designed as the swimming area, with the water circulation apparatus running underground to the regeneration zone. In the most common setup, the regeneration zone is directly adjacent to the swimming zone, as shown here, with edges that allow for a specific volume of water to flow over the edge. Generally, the size of the zones should be equal for adequate water cleansing.
What plants do you use?
The plants will vary depending on climate and location. The regeneration zone relies on the surface area of the plants’ roots and the gravel substrate to create a home for beneficial bacteria.
Three types of aquatic plants are used:
The plants will vary depending on climate and location. The regeneration zone relies on the surface area of the plants’ roots and the gravel substrate to create a home for beneficial bacteria.
Three types of aquatic plants are used:
- Floating: Including flowering species of the lotus and water lily
- Emergent: Occupying the water margins of the pool; they include sedges, rushes and grasses
- Submerged: Are rooted into the substrate and help oxygenate the water
Cost.
The construction cost per square foot is the same for natural swimming pools and traditional pools. However, a natural swimming pool is typically twice the size of a traditional pool because of the regeneration zone.
A natural swimming pool requires different maintenance compared to chlorinated pools, but the overall cost is about the same.
Larry Carnes, owner of Reflections Water Gardens, says, “Natural swimming pools are completely chemical free, which means that hundreds if not thousands of dollars normally required for balancing water chemistry and countless man-hours are saved each swimming season; however, this time and money is made up for in the care of the water garden.”
The construction cost per square foot is the same for natural swimming pools and traditional pools. However, a natural swimming pool is typically twice the size of a traditional pool because of the regeneration zone.
A natural swimming pool requires different maintenance compared to chlorinated pools, but the overall cost is about the same.
Larry Carnes, owner of Reflections Water Gardens, says, “Natural swimming pools are completely chemical free, which means that hundreds if not thousands of dollars normally required for balancing water chemistry and countless man-hours are saved each swimming season; however, this time and money is made up for in the care of the water garden.”
Maintenance and installation.
Daily maintenance is similar to that for a traditional pool, but the focus is on tending the water garden. The skimmer should be cleared of debris, and the water garden plants occasionally need trimming. Insects and frogs stay within the regeneration zone (that’s their habitat) and are not attracted to the swimming zone. Depending on your climate, the garden may need rejuvenation in spring with the addition of new plants.
When winter comes, cut the plants back and drain and plug the mechanical equipment to prevent freeze damage. The pool itself does not need to be drained.
The pool basin can be constructed any time of year, weather permitting. It is typical for pools to be built in autumn in preparation for a spring planting of the water garden. Planting in spring gives the water garden a chance to acclimate to cycles of the seasons.
Daily maintenance is similar to that for a traditional pool, but the focus is on tending the water garden. The skimmer should be cleared of debris, and the water garden plants occasionally need trimming. Insects and frogs stay within the regeneration zone (that’s their habitat) and are not attracted to the swimming zone. Depending on your climate, the garden may need rejuvenation in spring with the addition of new plants.
When winter comes, cut the plants back and drain and plug the mechanical equipment to prevent freeze damage. The pool itself does not need to be drained.
The pool basin can be constructed any time of year, weather permitting. It is typical for pools to be built in autumn in preparation for a spring planting of the water garden. Planting in spring gives the water garden a chance to acclimate to cycles of the seasons.
Design Options
Naturalistic or architectural.
The naturalistic-style pool has a stone or gravel bottom with sloped sides. A gradually sloped edge leading to the water also creates an experience more akin to a wilderness adventure, because you can walk into the body of water. An architectural-style pool made of cast-in-place concrete with horizontal sides and stairs for entry works great as well. Aesthetically, you and your designer can create whatever look you want: an architectural pool with clean lines or a pool that looks like a natural pond.
Naturalistic or architectural.
The naturalistic-style pool has a stone or gravel bottom with sloped sides. A gradually sloped edge leading to the water also creates an experience more akin to a wilderness adventure, because you can walk into the body of water. An architectural-style pool made of cast-in-place concrete with horizontal sides and stairs for entry works great as well. Aesthetically, you and your designer can create whatever look you want: an architectural pool with clean lines or a pool that looks like a natural pond.
Decking.
Wood decks make a beautiful defined edge for a natural swimming pool. Other typical pool decking materials, like travertine pavers or exposed aggregate concrete, can also create a surface for your favourite lounge chair or poolside cafe table. The pool deck can occupy the area between the swimming and regeneration zones as a way to create separation between the water garden and the swimming area. Other people may prefer to have the planted zone next to the swimming zone to create a wilderness-style pond.
Wood decks make a beautiful defined edge for a natural swimming pool. Other typical pool decking materials, like travertine pavers or exposed aggregate concrete, can also create a surface for your favourite lounge chair or poolside cafe table. The pool deck can occupy the area between the swimming and regeneration zones as a way to create separation between the water garden and the swimming area. Other people may prefer to have the planted zone next to the swimming zone to create a wilderness-style pond.
Ultimately it’s the shape of the pool basin, materials and expression of the edges that will determine the style of your natural pool. I recommend that you hire a talented landscape architect who can incorporate a natural pool into an overall backyard-oasis design plan. A local water garden and natural pool company will be your source for ongoing maintenance supplies throughout the year.
Tell us:
Do you have a natural swimming pool? Post your photos in the Comments and tell us about your experience.
Read more:
19 Spectacular Pools From Around the Globe
8 Petite Pools: Small in Size, Big on Luxury
Do you have a natural swimming pool? Post your photos in the Comments and tell us about your experience.
Read more:
19 Spectacular Pools From Around the Globe
8 Petite Pools: Small in Size, Big on Luxury
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@dreamdoctor- I have so many responses to all your great info but I'm so short on time right now! Ugh! Your designs are fabulous and I cannot wait to dig into all of them. I think the double silo design may be perfect for where we will be building a couple/few homes! The property is zoned a "farm cluster" so we will need coordinating designs.
I have to run but your amazing design will be simple to incorporate a NSP. You could do the entire front with a bridge walkway or even half of the front around to the side portion with access from both entrances. When the time comes for you to do your NSP, I hope you get an estimate from our guy (he travels around several states to construct them). He did ours for only 10k with the 1st 3 months of maintenance to ensure everything was perfect.
@dreamdoctor -- here is one he did that is one of my favorites with the water up to the home.
flyergrace (interesting handle - backstory?)
If I could give you some advice my best would be to send me an email so I can send you the programming guide becasue you are short on time. Best to work on a program a little bit at a time over some time instead of forcing it - I programmed my kitchen for about a year - published in Houzz (thank you again). I keep a pad of paper handy and jot things down when I think of them or see them.
So you are a builder? Awesome. I have had many inquiries lately from builders/trades people - also from people in North Carolina but they have not solidified yet. They are programming now - good projects take time and thought and I need to know people are really committed to them. A good program makes my job easier and ensures they get what they need, One is a realtor that would like to do some spec. I sent her a development concept I would share with you as well based on a non-code conforming, paradisaical courtyard in Pittsburgh (buried in the middle of a block).
The Victorian - has an option for more bedrooms/screened porch/covered patio and would be great to include an upper and lower pool (big enough to dive off the screened porch into - long time dream).
There is a folio of my plans on dreamgreenhomes under "manufactured" if you want to check out The Victorian plans (or others) - I did my research and it is centered around family with the dining room at the center of the plan for eating, games, meetings etc. It has a library on the second floor with lofts connected by a bridge over it. Designed as a family retreat on a century farm it is designed/meant to be fun.
If you get a minute drop me a note - I do not chase or bother people - I always have plenty to do, probably similar to you. I build as well - every day for about three hours - many of my clients have needs that I can meet better than preparing documents and bidding them out, and I enjoy it. Can't sit at a desk all day. mc@architecturebysynthesis.com
Our house during the you-have-to-be-kidding months on a nice, calm day. The hot tub in the solar addition helps. Built it by myself.