{"id":355013,"date":"2023-06-13T18:20:07","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T17:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/natural-pools-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-work\/"},"modified":"2023-06-13T18:20:07","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T17:20:07","slug":"natural-pools-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/natural-pools-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural pools: What are they and how do they work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Natural pools at home. The most ecological option. <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Natural pools or biological pools are an attractive alternative for those who are looking for an aquatic space that integrates into its natural environment. <\/span><\/p>\n

These pools work thanks to the action of plant life, instead of the chemicals used in traditional pools. They do not have filtration systems as the usual ones in other types of pools, but it is the aquatic environment, through selected plants and decantation, that keep the water clean. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Trends<\/p>\n

Origin and number of natural pools.<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n

Natural pools have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional pools, especially in northern Europe. <\/span><\/p>\n

It was in Austria and Germany in the 1980s that the first natural pools appeared, and since then their number has multiplied rapidly, reaching more than 20,000 public and private natural pools throughout Europe today. <\/span><\/p>\n

This concept also crossed the Atlantic, with the opening of the first natural public pool in the U.S. in Minneapolis in 2015, and since then, pools of this type have been built in the U.S., as well as in Mexico and Canada. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The growing public concern for environmentalism and sustainability has favored the popularity and growth of natural pools. The return to social systems more in touch with the ecosystem, allowing alternative leisure, have also been catalysts for this trend of “natural pools” or “biological pools”. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

How do natural pools work?<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n

While, in a traditional pool, the water is recirculated by a self-priming pump and passed through the pool filter, chemically treated and returned back into the pool, the cleaning process of a biological pool is completely different: the water enters a filtration system that collects large particles and smaller debris is removed thanks to a regeneration zone. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

In this zone, the water flows through a layer of gravel that serves as a biological filter, where bacteria and other harmless organisms take advantage of the nitrogen cycle by converting pollutants and waste from swimmers into nutrients for the plants installed in the pool. Over time, the biological balance stabilizes, making the system more efficient and autonomous. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Operation<\/p>\n

\"Typical<\/p>\n

Advantages of biological pools<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the main advantages is their environmental impact, since by eliminating the use of chemicals, they prevent water contamination of municipal sewage systems. In addition, the regeneration zone with plants provides a natural habitat for insects and amphibians, which improves biodiversity in the surrounding area. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Another advantage is the quality of the bathing experience, as balanced biological treatment improves water quality and the aesthetics of the environment. Biological pools are also an ideal option for people with chemical sensitivities who cannot use conventional pools. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the biological filtration process can be used as an environmental education tool. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

In terms of cost, biological pools are an innovative solution for new projects and conversions of conventional pools, as they reduce operating costs by eliminating the need for chemicals and using the gravity filtration process, which in turn reduces energy consumption. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, biological pools improve public perception of a city’s sustainability goals, as they are a sign of progress toward those goals.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Disadvantages of biological pools.<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n

Construction cost: Although the construction cost of a natural pool depends on the design and final scope, it is generally considered to be more expensive than a conventional pool. This is mainly due to the need to build two pools (one for swimming and one for regeneration) and the use of plant material for filtration. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Use: As a chemical-free system, a certain degree of adaptation in bather behavior is required so as not to overload the system. For example, a Shower should be taken before entering the pool to remove contaminants such as sweat and sunscreen, and it should be recognized that the regeneration zone is a sensitive area that is not used for swimming. In addition, some may interpret the light green color of bathing water as “cloudy,” leading to negative impressions related to cleanliness and hygiene. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

How big can biological pools be?<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n

They can literally be any size you want, as long as they are adequately sized. As examples we have several at European level that give us an idea of the Scale that can reach this type of facilities that, let’s not forget, are human constructions, not lakes or natural rivers. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n