Natural swimming pools and ponds
Natural swimming pools are certainly a conversation piece in any garden or outside space, but especially if you're lucky enough to have a LEED, Passive House, ZNE or Green Home... Inspired by the joy of swimming in sparkling mountain lakes, can you imagine chlorinated swimming pools being replaced by natural swimming pools & plunge pools throughout the US & Canada?
The idea of swimming in a pool that invited nature in rather than shutting it out with chemicals first gained rapid popularity amongst the Green Home fraternity in the 80's, spreading first to Germany and then throughout Europe. Slow at first to take root in North America, natural pools for swimming, wildlife & naturally beautiful gardens are now a possibility & warrant a closer look...
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Natural swimming pools and ponds
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A natural swimming pool, or swimming pond, offers a stunning, chemical-free alternative to traditional pools, creating a backyard oasis that is both a joy to swim in and a vibrant, living ecosystem. Instead of relying on chlorine and complex filtration systems, these pools use the power of carefully selected plants and beneficial microorganisms to keep the water crystal clear, clean, and healthy. This sustainable approach to backyard swimming is gaining popularity across the globe, from the USA and Canada to the UK and Australia, as homeowners seek to create beautiful, eco-friendly landscapes that are safe for their families and beneficial to local wildlife.
How Natural Swimming Pools Work: The Science of Bio-Filtration
The magic of a natural swimming pool lies in its regeneration zone, a separate, shallower area that acts as a living biological filter. This zone is essentially a constructed wetland, filled with gravel and a variety of aquatic plants whose roots host a colony of beneficial bacteria. Water is slowly circulated from the main swimming area through this regeneration zone. As the water passes through the gravel and plant roots, microorganisms break down contaminants and absorb nutrients like phosphates and nitrates that would otherwise feed algae. The plants themselves also consume these nutrients, outcompeting algae and resulting in clear, pure water without the need for any harsh chemicals, providing a refreshing and gentle swimming experience.
Designing Your Natural Pool: Key Components and Considerations
A typical natural swimming pool consists of two distinct but connected areas: a deeper, open swimming zone and the shallower regeneration zone mentioned above. The design can range from a formal, rectangular pool with an adjacent planted area to a more organic, pond-like shape where the two zones blend seamlessly. The key is ensuring the regeneration zone is large enough, typically around 50% of the total surface area, to adequately filter the water volume. Plant selection is critical and should be tailored to your specific climate; a mix of submerged, floating, and marginal plants is used to perform different filtering functions. While the system is largely natural, a small, energy-efficient pump is usually required to ensure consistent circulation of water from the swimming zone through the plant filter.
Living with a Natural Pool: Maintenance, Ecology, and Year-Round Enjoyment
Maintaining a natural swimming pool is more akin to gardening than to the chemical maintenance of a conventional pool. Regular tasks include skimming leaves from the surface, trimming back aquatic plants once or twice a year, and cleaning the swimming zone floor with a pool vacuum designed for natural pools. There is no need for daily chemical testing or balancing. Beyond the swimming season, the pool becomes a beautiful year-round water feature. In colder climates like Canada or the northern USA, the pool will freeze over like a natural pond, offering winter beauty. This living water body will also become a valuable habitat, attracting dragonflies, frogs, and birds, turning your backyard into a thriving, biodiverse ecosystem. We also have Canada's and the USA's most comprehensive high performance and sustainable prefabricated and modular homes directory available here, searchable by Province or State, as well as the largest online directory of green construction contractors and the best and most experienced Architects that are skilled in designing sustainable homes to LEED and Passive House standards here on EcoHome.