Natural Swimming Pools: The Installation Process Explained
As the appeal of natural swimming pools grows, more homeowners and eco-conscious developers are considering installing one. These chlorine-free, plant-powered pools are not just beautiful and sustainable, they're also a worthwhile investment in personal wellbeing and biodiversity. But how exactly do you go from lawn to lagoon? Here’s a step-by-step guide to the installation process of our natural swimming pools.
Step 1: Planning and Design
A sketch of the pool design and how it will look in the surroundings of the garden.
The first step is to work with a natural pool specialist to design your pool (we can help with that!). This includes:
Site Selection: To help plant life thrive, choose a location with good sun exposure (at least 6 hours/day).
Pool Shape and Size: Natural pools can be any shape, from geometric to organically curved, and are typically divided into two zones—swimming and regeneration.
Filtration System Design: Plan how water will circulate between zones. Most natural swimming pools use a combination of gravity, low-energy air lift pumps, and biological filtration.
Step 2: Excavation and Earthworks
Once the design is finalised, excavation begins:
Digging the Basin: Separate zones are usually excavated—one large, beautifully planted regeneration zone separated by a constructed wall topped with oak sleepers (which look great in the water) and a separate swimming area.
Shaping and Tiering: Tiers and shelves are carved to hold gravel and plant life. Depth varies, but swimming zones are typically at least 1.5 meters deep.
Soil Removal or Reuse: Excess earth can be used for landscaping elsewhere on your property or removed from site as necessary.
The messier part of the installation. Once the excavation is complete, we construct the wall that separates the planting area from the swimming zone.
Step 3: Lining the Pool
To keep water in and soil out, a rubber EPDM waterproof liner is installed and carefully spread across both zones. Some designs use natural clay sealing instead of synthetic liners, though this is more common in large, rural ponds.
How the pool looks once the liner has been added.
After installation of the oak sleepers, we start adding the gravel.
Step 4: Installing the Filtration System
This is the heart of the Natural Swimming Pool’s natural purification:
Pump and Skimmer Setup: Low-energy air pumps circulate water slowly, while skimmers remove surface debris.
Gravel Filter Beds: In the regeneration zone, layers of gravel act as a biological filter.
Planting Aquatic Vegetation: Plants like reeds, lilies, and water mint purify the water by absorbing nutrients and hosting beneficial microbes.
The plants arrive! The right combination of aquaic plants is essential to keep the pool working as it should.
Step 5: Filling and Establishing Balance
Once the structure is complete:
Filling with Water: Use rainwater or tap water, slowly filling both zones.
Balancing the Ecosystem: It takes several weeks for the plants and microbes to establish themselves and for water clarity to stabilise.
Step 6: Landscaping and Finishing Touches
Natural pools aren’t just about function—they’re about form:
Edging the Pool: We can use natural stone, timber, or plant borders to blend the pool into your garden.
Decks and Docks: Wooden decks or floating pontoons add usability and charm.
Lighting and Paths: Low-voltage lighting can create a magical nighttime atmosphere, while pathways help guide guests through the space.
Maintenance Considerations
While Natural Swimming Pools are low-maintenance compared to traditional pools, they still require seasonal care, much like doing the gardening.
Remove excess debris and trim plants
Check the air pumps and skimmer operation
Monitor algae growth and nutrient levels
Final Thoughts
Installing a natural swimming pool is both a technical and artistic endeavour. It blends engineering with ecology, aesthetics with ethics. Though the process is more complex than a standard pool, the rewards—crystal-clear water, a thriving habitat, and a chemical-free sanctuary—are well worth it.
Whether you’d like a private garden retreat or a communal wellness haven, a natural swimming pool is more than just a place to swim—it's a bold step toward living in harmony with nature.
The finished natural swimming pool, being enjoyed by the family.
