The natural pool is a exceptional aquatic complex at the level aesthetic but also in terms of respect the environment. Let’s find out together what this extraordinary pool, also known as a biological pool, is more precisely, its many advantages and its few disadvantages which must also be taken into account when choosing between a classic pool and a natural pool. Finally, let’s see what budget to devote to such a project.
What is a natural swimming pool?
It’s about a biological swimming poolvery different from the classic swimming pool since it is composed of three distinct zones, namely:
- A oxygenation zone or regeneration area: we install “oxygenating” aquatic plants, essential for the balance of the pool, a fountain or even a waterfall. This shallow environment is a veritable ecosystem essential for water maintenance and the fight against algae.
- A lagoon area: reserved for filtration, it is made up of plants and pebbles, and is equipped with a filtration system with pump. It is essential to eliminate bacteria. This area is shallower than the one reserved for swimming.
- A bathing areatotally devoid of treatment products. It is the largest and deepest part of the natural pool.
The biological swimming pool has all the assets to seduce nature lovers.
Natural or biological swimming pool: the advantages
True private lakethe biological swimming pool is the solution which imposes itself if one wishes to create in his property a space of bathing where the water quality is naturally assured and improves over the years. It has the following advantages:
- Duration of the construction site of approximately 8 weeks for a biological swimming pool of 30 to 35 m², which is quite fast, but it is necessary to plan more time for a larger pool.
- Radically transforms outdoor space.
- Very aesthetic, it fits perfectly into the environment it embellishes, brings a touch of authenticity to the property to which it adds a real plus-value.
- Decorative in any season since it does not have to be covered by a tarpaulin.
- Non-polluting.
- Preserves and promotes biodiversity.
- Does not require any chemicals.
- Does not contain chlorine, which is a serious asset, because it is the cause of asthma, allergies and irritations in the sinuses, mucous membranes, respiratory tracts but also cutaneous and capillary. Chlorine is also suspected of promoting certain cancers.
- Economical in terms of heating since the water in the biological swimming pool is only heated by the sun.
- Makes the skin soft.
- Does not require emptying, moreover emptying is not recommended since it would destroy the ecosystem.
- Requires much less human intervention for its maintenance because it purifies itself. You still need to clean the filter regularly, remove any algae, remove dead leaves and plant debris that have fallen into the water and of course you have to prune the plants if necessary.
- Swimming pool not subject to taxation (for the moment, at least), unlike the classic swimming pool.
It can also be noted that for the time being, the regulations does not require the installation of a security system around a biological swimming pool. However, and this is a common sense matterit is still preferable to provide an alert system and why not safety barriers to protect access to this aquatic area, especially if you have children.
Finally, it can be noted that the natural swimming pool design leaves a lot of room for imagination since it comes in all imaginable forms.
Biological swimming pool: the disadvantages
Perfection does not exist, the biological pool may be distinguished by its many advantages, it nevertheless has some disadvantages that it is important to know before planning its construction. These are the following points:
- Expensive to buy, its price being higher than that of a traditional inground pool. Depending on the concepts, the biological swimming pool can cost up to 150% more than a conventional swimming pool. Its high price is mainly due to the construction of the zone intended for filtration.
- energy guzzler in terms of electricity since its pump operates non-stop, which can represent nearly 5,000 kWh more in one year than for a conventional swimming pool.
- Turns out to be demanding at the beginning, obliging its owner to devote time to it, for example to install the essential plants there, until the perfect stabilization of the ecosystem. We therefore do not bathe before.
- obliges to add water frequently because it evaporates faster in a biological pool than in a conventional pool.
- Not being equipped with a heating system, the natural swimming pool can put off users who are cautious. The water temperature should not exceed 24°C to preserve biodiversity, avoid the proliferation of bacteria and algae, but also so that aquatic plants can thrive in a perfectly adapted environment.
- Cannot be used from its construction since it is essential to allow time to adapt sufficient for the plants so that they can fully fulfill their filtering role.
There is nothing to worry about if the water in the biological pool is quite dark at first. This is a completely normal phenomenon and continues as long as the plants are not fully established. After a few days or weeks, you can finally enjoy crystal clear water, without any chemicals.
Natural swimming pool: the necessary administrative procedures
With regard to the administrative procedures to be planned before the construction of a natural swimming pool, they are identical to those required for a traditional swimming pool. As a reminder, a building permit is required for a biological swimming pool with a surface area greater than 100 m², but a simple declaration of work is sufficient if its surface area is 10 to 100 m². However, it is strongly recommended to inquire beforehand with the town hall of your municipality because the regulations may vary from one area to another.
It is recommended contact a swimming pool specialist from October, because it is at this time of the year that these specialists are the least overwhelmed. This also leaves the necessary time to carry out the essential administrative procedures. Indeed, if you have to apply for a building permit, you should know that a period of 2 to 3 months is necessary to obtain an answer. This therefore leaves plenty of time to do the work afterwards so that the natural swimming pool is ready in the spring.
Natural swimming pool: construction price
The price of a natural swimming pool is extremely variable since it depends on the following elements:
- earthworks,
- The complexity of the construction site,
- The laying technique,
- The quality of the materials,
- The size of the swimming pool,
- The shape of the natural basin,
- The facilities (bridge, balustrade, island, poolhouse, beach, shower, etc.),
- Installation of the ecosystem (fountain, waterfall, fauna, flora, etc.).
For its construction, it is necessary to provide a higher budget at least 20 to 25% to that spent on the purchase of a traditional in-ground swimming pool. Before choosing between a classic swimming pool and a natural swimming pool, it should be remembered that in addition to the cost of construction, there is between 300 and 400 €/year to maintain the plants, the pool, a budget to which should be added the expense that generates the upgrade due to regular evaporation of water. For information, for a biological pool of 100 m², it is necessary to plan to add a minimum of sixty cubic meters. At a rate of €3.42/m3 (official price on the 1is January 2020), this represents an additional expense of €205.20 excluding the subscription cost.
Installing a natural swimming pool in your garden therefore deserves reflection and it is obviously essential to entrust your dream to a swimming pool specialist so that he can first of all check the feasibility of the project.