How to Build a Natural Swimming Pool

(Page 7 of 7)

August/September 2002
By Douglas Buege and Vicky Uhland 
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In addition to maintaining the pool's biological health, check the mechanical systems annually. Wipe diffusers with vinegar to remove deposits, check air hoses for cracks and obstructions, and examine all connections to the pumps. Given these precautions, your pool should provide you cool pleasure for years to come.

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Environmental writer and educator Douglas Buege is an avid organic gardener and beekeeper. Freelance writer and editor Vicky Uhland has written about holistic lifestyles for a variety of publications.

I Inspired by this article to build your own natural pool? Share your story and cool pool photos with

MOTHER: MOTHER EARTH NEWS; 1503 SW 42nd; Top St., Topeka, KS 66609 or e-mail: letters@motherearthnews.com

Equipment Sources

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Biotop (Austria)
Blue Lotus Design 
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  • john 8/6/2009 2:36:39 PM

    It appears that many people are interested in natural pools. Why doesnt Mother do a follow up on their article that was presented in a 2002 issue. I have explored the bio-top source but its difficult to communicate overseas with this company. Surly there are some good examples and how-to info on these type of pools in US. HELP !!!!!

  • Cindy 7/24/2009 11:44:29 AM

    Is anyone building natural pools in Kansas?

  • Cindy 7/24/2009 11:35:46 AM

    Is anyone building natural pools in Kansas?

  • Rob 6/7/2009 3:38:37 PM

    I want to Build a 3 1/2 Acre Lake 50' Deep at Lowest point to support Trout and Swimming, as well as CatFish for cleaning of bottom of lake. (will this Work)
    also I will be adding all kinds of water Plants for natural Oxigination of lake and a 10'W x 1000' Creek and Waterfall that dumps in to Lake While Recirclating water ( good or bad Idea)with water plants and Cat tails as well.

    Then I will be adding 4-6 Different Species of Trees for Shading of lake as well to provide Air filtration (keeping Bigger Particulates from entering Lake)around 7/8 of the lake and would love to have a Sandy Beach area ( good or Bad).

    I will be adding Solar and Wind Mills for the powering of the Pumps as well as Some sort of Filter to remove Arsinic from water that naturally Occures in Nevada any Help in this area would be wonderfull.

    Also The water for the Lake will be Provided from it's Own Well, also in a side note If I Run the well water through a Series of Cisterns Having one with Carbon Media Or other Media and then pump the water to the top of My Creek will that help Neutralize any Contaminants?

    I have 2 Black Labs as Well and would love to have Ducks and Gees Visit my lake, Do I need to add or Modify the Plants and Fish that I am Planning to have a Sustainable Enviroment?

    I want To Creat A Living Eco System That My Family and Friends Can Enjoy For Decades To come,
    There might even Be a Pontoon boat on the Lake as Well.

    What do you Think, Does this sound like I'm headed in the Right Direction?
    Oh also I want to add Hydro Electric to the Creek waterfall to Power My Shop through A Battery System.
    The amount of Volume I will generate is roughly 50 thousand gpm

  • Swerlybird 10/20/2008 7:17:45 PM

    I am looking into building a natural pool in a summer house in France.
    I will only be there for 6 weeks in the summer and 2 weeks in the Spring.
    Would it be possible within that timescale to build a pool?
    Could I maintain a pool over many years when i'm only there sporadically?.

    Also - Is there anyone building natural pools in france?
    Thanks

  • Art 12/4/2007 1:02:56 PM

    Are therer any good books on making natural pools? Please email
    aet14@csufresno.edu

  • Art 12/4/2007 1:01:26 PM

    Are there any books on making natural pools?

  • flo 11/22/2007 12:15:15 PM

    Louis Richard: If we are in Quebec sometime, could we stop by and
    see your pool? Or anyone else in Northeastern US or Eastern Canada?
    Please email flo@sustainableharvest.org

  • Erik 9/6/2007 5:33:40 PM

    How about natural pools in colorado, where the temp is very cold in
    the winter. Wont this kill off the plants. Also, I want to do it
    myself but probably need design help. Any affordable designers in
    Denver.

  • Rainer 8/31/2007 9:27:13 AM

    natural swimming pools could be made at every type of climate. we
    made this type of pools in europe and australia. For this climate -
    and also Arizona, Texas .... you have to use special plants. The
    other important thing is to make a good hydraulic. A lot of people
    think, that no pump is neccasary. But the warmer the water, the
    more important is to circulate the water through the plant filter.
    In canada there is a company in Montreal called "Topia" and in USA
    there is company in Scottsdale (Arizona) called Supreme pools. Both
    can help with natural pools

  • Louis 8/18/2007 11:32:16 AM

    I have made an eco-pool in the province of Québec,Canada and can
    help you build yours even if my english is poor!!!

  • dina 7/31/2007 11:23:38 PM

    can you put fish in the pool? i want to build a BIG pond for my
    husband to fish in, but i'd also like to swim in it. we live in
    hawaii on lava rock; will the bentonite work?
    Mother responds: People regularly swim in natural ponds that
    have fish in them. You will have to take into account the waste
    from the fish in terms of the amount of plant matter that can
    filter and clean the water, in addition to any food you might feed
    the fish.

  • GonnaDoThis 7/8/2007 12:24:46 PM

    Re: Tony about snakes and such. That's an interesting point you
    raise. But it's not unique to natural pools. Chlorinated swimming
    pools often get snakes in them. We have a pool in our community
    that gets about one a week and even more when it rains because it
    is adjacent to an agricultural area and has no real effective
    barriers. This issue has more to do with the access to the area
    than with the type of pool. If this is a big concern then you'd
    want to build perhaps tall masonry walls around the pool or
    something of that nature. Of course they're usually more scared of
    you than you are of them.

  • Mike 7/5/2007 9:51:43 AM

    Is anyone building natural pools in Maryland?

  • Mike 7/5/2007 9:49:52 AM

    Is anyone building natural pools in Maryland?

  • Lisa 7/3/2007 2:20:37 PM

    How can I find someone who builds natural pools in our area
    (western NY state)?

  • Wanda 5/15/2007 2:11:17 PM

    Is Texas a good place for a natural pool/pond? or is it too humid?

  • manu 4/23/2007 3:14:11 PM

    I'm trying to build one in India... I dunno what plants to use...
    help?! Anyone!! in the surroundings I have water hyacinth, lilies
    and reeds. is this enough? Also, looking for testing kits. dunno
    what to test for other than pH!! manu www.istay.in

  • tony 3/14/2007 9:39:07 PM

    Natural Swimming Pools// how would you keep the snakes and turtles
    out we live in arkansas and have outher ponds with plunty of them
    critters/ the wife don't want to swim w/ them!

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