Natural Swimming Pool Photo Gallery

[mauipool]

Hi all, We are getting closer to starting our swim pond/aquaculture project. We hope to plant some nice edibles amongst the water lilies and plan on putting in taro, and rice along with other usual water filtering reeds and such. I really like the above link to grit build your own. One thing we will do differently is instead of soil as a substrate for the plants: we are going to use washed gravel. (Not sure yet just how I'm gonna wash all that gravel...) The idea is to get the plants to keep the water pretty nutrient free to prevent algae.

I also agree with people about the concerns over catching things from fellow swimmers... but it's at our house. AND I was So bummed out the other day, I took my 2 toddlers to the beach, and the sewer afew miles away must've had a spill... anyway there were hundreds of thousands of human excrements all over the beach and floating in the seaweed. It took us a minute to really register what it was. Then we got outa there. It has really spurred me on to get our home entertainment sorted out. Talk about pathogens, it was like swimming in a public porta potty.

[PoolDoc]

A couple more:

[CarlD]

Somehow, my idea of a natural pool involves saltwater, waves, tides and sand, of the beach, rather than filter variety!

[Anonymous [GDPR] European in the UK]

Excellent photos but not everyone in the UK & Europe embraces the pond idea, just like most of you there are concerns, I certainly have some.

The filtration uses several different parts where nutrients are removed from the water, either phosphates or nitrates and then planting of types that tolerate the water with which option has been chosen. Biological filters are used and just like a reed toilet system by example the bacteria are broken down, they work so ponds can work, do they work quickly enough for a public pool not sure. I know there is a new filter in development for one of the companies (Clear water revival) which they think they will have all the answers.

I really wonder if it's the natural settings that people really like rather than the formal pools. From the photos they seem to loose something when they are formal swimming pools albeit great designs. Is it really the lack of chlorine people want? or just a more natural setting?

[PoolDoc]

You probably realize that 'environmentalism' is essentially a substitute-religion for a lot of people today, and being 'natural' is a form of religious expression for them. Careful analysis of the facts tends not to be an important part of how many people approach their religion.

What evidence I've been able to find suggest that these natural pools are not nearly as safe as chlorine pools, especially as the bather load increases. But "more risk" does NOT equal "much risk" -- a distinction that eludes even many educated people.

But my guess is the risk is still pretty low for these pools, if they aren't used commercially. After all, my family's (and my own) PERSONAL preference is swimming in the ocean, which is more risky than either these natural pools or chlorinated pools, not just from infection, but from the OTHER wildlife or from physical hazards.

Many discussions of health risk today ignore that the MAJOR avoidable risks for most people are things like over-eating, not enough exercise, cigarettes, and poor medical treatment, including nosocomial infections. Infections transmitted in pools, or chemical risks from pool treatment are MINOR risks by comparison.

The higher risk SERIOUS events around pools, including drownings, slips & falls, electrocution, diving injuries, etc. rather than chemical or infection events.

[BigDave]

...(Clear water revival)...

Creedence, I love Creedence. There's plenty of natural swimming Down on the Bayou.

[Anonymous [GDPR] European in the UK]

Creedence, I love Creedence. There's plenty of natural swimming Down on the Bayou.

Nice, BigDave. did you catch my comment here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...221#post116221

[BigDave]

I did. Smoke on the Water was stuck in my head until I changed to CCR - lasted the rest of the day.