The first natural swimming pools were built in the early 1980s in Austria and continue to be very popular in Europe. Though the U.S. has been very slow to catch on to this trend, due to a national obsession with cleanliness, self-sustaining “green” pools are finally making their way to residential and commercial environments.
In this article, we will answer a few common questions when it comes to natural pools.
Does a natural pool cost more than a chlorinated pool:
You’ll be surprised to know that a natural pool is very similar in cost to a standard pool design. There is a minimal need for chemicals and eventually, once your mini-ecosystem is thriving, the need for chemicals becomes completely unnecessary. In short, you are guaranteed to save some hard-earned cash.
Where did natural pools originate:
The idea of a natural swimming pool evolved from Europe. People who enjoyed swimming in the local ponds started to maintain the water and gradually improve the ponds for swimming purposes, for example, adding steps for entry.
What is a “regeneration zone”:
The regeneration zone is a shallow area planted with aquatic vegetation that acts as the pool’s filter. If you are worried about touching the plants, you will be happy to know that the most popular natural pool designs keep this zone separate from the actual swimming area.
Examples of plants you can use:
Floating— lotus flowers and water lilies
Emergent— sedges, rushes and grasses
Submerged— American pondweed, eel grass, cabomba
Are natural pools clean:
Absolutely! When managed properly, natural swimming pools have crystal clear waters because of their self-cleaning mini-eco system. A specialized skimmer removes surface debris and additional equipment such as UV light filters, filters to remove phosphorus, and waterfall structures help to maintain the flow and balance in a natural pool.
Did you know that Natare built the first natural public pool in the United States?
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Fun Facts About Natural Pools:
- Eco-friendly
- Low cost
- Can be just as clean as a chlorinated pool
- Better for skin and hair
- Better for wildlife (froggy approved)
- Minimum chemicals needed
- You can let it freeze over in the winter
- They can look like a lush pond or a traditional pool
Do you have a natural swimming pool? We want to hear about it!
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