Questions
Is a natural swimming pond easier and cheaper to maintain than a traditional pool?
Yes.
How much does it cost?
Eau Naturelle will design and create your natural swimming pond for the same price as a conventional swimming pool - assuming you want your swimming area to be of a similar size to a conventional pool. So, anything from £60,000 upwards for a 10m x 5m swimming area, with a matching area for the regenerative planting.
Overall size
Whatever swimming area you wish for, remember that the planted regeneration area needs to be the same size again. This keeps the water clean, clear and warm.
Does the water stay clean?
Clear, clean water is the naturally occurring state in low-nutrient ponds and lakes, given the correct environment. Eau Naturelle swimming ponds or pools are intentionally created to replicate this environment and harness nature's wonders to our natural advantage. A conventional swimming pool uses chemicals to kill micro-organisms in water such as phytoplankon (the stuff that makes the water go green) and bacteria. However, in a natural swimming pond or pool this is avoided by native aquatic planting, and the installation of a natural filtration, pumping and skimming system.
What's the temperature?
Water in the shallow regeneration areas heats up remarkably quickly in the sun and can expect the temperature of the whole pond to be 75 to 79F (24-26C) during the summer. Remember also that natural water feels much more comfortable on the skin, unlike chlorinated water. So what may feel chilly in chemically treated water, 72F (22C) for example, actually feels comfortable in natural water.
How much maintence is required?
A swimming pond needs much less maintenance than a conventional pool, as there are no chemicals to add and manage. Nature carries out almost all of the cleaning services for you, but it is still needs a small amount of regular attention. Namely, emptying the skimmer and ensuring that leaves do not build up in large quantities.
Removing leaves (and discouraging ducks) helps to keep the water's nutrient levels low. On this basis, the water will be clear all the time. Many people like to spend time looking after their pond themselves. However we also have a dedicated maintenance team and offer a maintenance service which can be as often or infrequent as you need. We generally recommend that our maintenance team visits at least once a year to check on the pond's development and its equipment, and to give the swimming zone a hoover.
What happens in the winter months?
One of the great advantages of a swimming pond over a conventional pool is that a pond looks beautiful throughout the year, changing with the seasons. In the autumn it's important to cut back the plants to about 4-6 inches high, thus ensuring that organic matter doesn't fall back into the pond and decompose, so the nutrient level in the water stays low throughout the winter, ready for the spring.
Do you need planning permission?
If your property is listed, or if you want to build on agricultural land, or if you are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, then planning permission will be required. Otherwise, not. The regulations are covered by the Town and Country Planning Act 2015.