Considering A Natural Swimming Pool? Learn The Pros And Cons.

05 Dec Considering A Natural Swimming Pool? Learn The Pros And Cons.

Natural Swimming Pools Are Making a Ripple, But Are They For You?

From The Allstate Blog

By now, you’ve probably heard about the Natural Swimming Pool or Natural Swimming Pond.  Originating in Europe, the natural swimming pool has hit the U.S. Mainland in force, offering a natural alternative to the chemically-treated traditional inground swimming pool.  The basic concept of the natural swimming pool revolves around two bodies of water being employed:  The swimming area and the regeneration zone.  The regeneration zone is equipped with plants and other flora that serve as natural filters for the swimming area, turning the traditional chemical treatment of inground swimming pools on its head.  But is the regeneration zone method of filtration really safe for you and your family?  Will the water quality of a natural swimming pool or pond give your family the swimming experience that is desired?  This post from the Allstate Blog goes into great detail about the construction of natural swimming pools, their benefits, as well as the pros and cons of ownership and usage. 

Here is an excerpt from the post:

Pros and Cons

So, are you interested in natural swimming pools? Consider these additional pros and cons before wading in:

Design flexibility. Natural swimming pools can be integrated seamlessly into a site, and can be designed in any style—even a formal Grecian or Roman pool.

Natural pools can be integrated seamlessly into a site.

Ability to function in any climate. Alan Weene, who heads marketing for BioNova, the U.S. outpost of a German company that designs and installs natural swimming pools, says the company has constructed natural swimming pools in a range of climates around the globe.

Extra land requirement. They require a larger site because of the regeneration zone, says Nissim. “If you design a 700-square-foot pool, you need another pool of equal size for filtration. With community rules about setbacks and how much impervious surface you can have on a property, there are many yards where there isn’t enough space,” Nissim says.

Higher initial cost. Natural swimming pools cost more to build than conventional pools because of the need to construct two pools (the main swimming area and the filtration area), though per-square-foot construction costs are similar to conventional pools. They do typically cost less to operate because of the absence of chlorine and other chemicals, and the ability to use a smaller pump and less energy, Weene says.

Less-than-perfectly-clear water. The color of the water isn’t always “a crystal-blue, Windex color, yet it’s safe for swimming,” says BioNova’s Weene. Color varies, based on such factors as nutrient balance, temperature, and precipitation. Some algae and sediment always will be present, Weene says.