Chemical-free swimming pools are leaving traditional ones for dead

Salt and chemical-free swimming pools are leaving traditional ones for dead

Chemical-free swimming pools are leaving traditional ones for dead

Strange weather patterns over the past 10 years have given us a renewed respect for water. Due to inconsistent rain, we now think very seriously about how we manage water when it eventually lands on our patch. Careful consideration is given not only to capturing and storing as much water as possible but also to its economic and prudent dispersal.

Taking this level of appreciation one step further is the biologically cleaned swimming pool – an idea many find confronting at first. I recently swam in such a pool and it was incredible, like experiencing a clear, natural spring.

Over the past 20 years, Europeans have embraced natural pools as they have many advantages over traditional salt or chlorine pools, not least of which are avoiding side effects such as burning eyes, dry skin and green hair.

Conventional pools rely on chemicals to sanitise the water and this “dead water” is then discharged and replaced with new water through filtering systems. This process must be repeated regularly and, in some pools, up to four times the pool’s water volume is wasted every year. Natural pools don’t need to be connected to a sewer because they clean and maintain the water as a living organism. The water stays hygienic through biological regeneration, which takes place in a planted area.

BioNova Natural Pools is leading the way in Australia with its designs. The company has patented a two-basin system (articulated by hydraulics), which means you can keep the pool and planted area completely separate if you wish. Wherever you place the water garden, the gasses, minerals, plants and creatures will interact to ensure the water in both pools is clean and healthy.

Each water garden is a lush ecosystem, where nutrients from the water’s micro-organisms (decomposing materials, bacteria and pollutants) are absorbed by the plants. These are converted to plant tissue, which helps the plants to grow and clean the water. Water flowing through the reeds and roots is also biologically and mechanically filtered in the underlying sand and gravel. In the final stage of the process the shallow water of the planted area is naturally warmed by the sun before flowing back to the swimming area, which reduces the pool’s heating requirements. So, in addition to losing the cleaning agents (salt or chlorine), operating costs are reduced by up to 80 per cent.

Maintenance of natural pools is simple. Like a traditional pool, a skimmer box is attached and requires regular clearing. Withered plants should be removed from the regeneration area. The swimming pool itself can be vacuumed with a conventional pool vacuum, as long as it has a removable collection bag so the plant material can be used as compost.

As a landscape designer, I am drawn as much to the ease of the natural pool’s construction as its aesthetic. After the basin shape is created, the water is contained by a heavy-duty recycled PVC membrane. Then, to cover, you can choose either tiles, pebblecrete, concrete, or leave it as is for a billabong effect.

I prefer the uncovered liner or a natural, dark stone finish as this creates the illusion of a deep, dark pool of water – much more enticing than the reflective glare of the California blue pool so often seen in backyards.

Every natural pool has its own personality based on relevance to the site, temperatures and proposed uses. The finished look is determined by functional yet beautiful plants such as waterlilies, water irises and flowering rushes. They become part of the gardenscape while forming a highly efficient filtration system.

To me, the idea of having a crystal-clear, natural pool is bliss. Swimming in water you can drink – knowing you’re doing the right thing for your health and the environment – is a feeling everyone should be able to experience.
peterfudgegardens.com.au