Table of Contents
Foreword 6
1 What is a Naturally Filtrated Swimming Pool? 9
Natural versus traditional pools 9
Advantages of natural pools 11
2 The Development of Natural Pools 13
A little history 13
System providers or self-build? 16
3 Basic Considerations for Pool Water 19
Biological basics for water purification 19
Chemistry basics 24
Hygiene parameters 37
Chemical criteria for fill-up water and construction material 38
4 Filter Systems and Construction Types 41
Running water and standing water: hydraulic types of natural pools 41
Purification factors: filtering variants of natural pools 43
Single- or multi-area: partitioning options for natural pools 77
Supporting wall on or under sealing: construction types of natural pools 78
5 Basic Models of Natural Pools 81
Model 1 The swimming pond (single-area system without technical installations) 83
Model 2 Swimming pond with surface flow 84
Model 3 Body of running water with Technical Wetland filtration 85
Model 4 Body of running water with Biofilm-accumulating Substrate Filter 86
Multiple-area systems 88
Financial Requirements 89
6 A Step-by-step Construction Guide 91
Planning the pool 91 Materials 102
Constructing the natural pool 123
7 Planting Design in and around Natural Pools 135
Learning from nature 135
Depth zones for artificial ponds and natural pools 141
Design considerations for plantings natural pools 143
Plant selection for specific conditions 152
Plant examples for use within the pool 159
Sample planting concepts for different themes 182
Planting techniques 190
8 Animals in the Pool? 195
Uninvited guests 195
Invited guests 196
Undesirable guests 198
9 Maintenance 203
Cleaning constructed elements in the swimming area 203
Controlling the water level 206
Maintaining water quality 208
Algae control 214
Hygiene control 223
Maintaining plantings 225
Maintaining filter bodies 233
Servicing technical installations 234
10 Case Studies 237
Austria 238
Germany 252
United Kingdom 272
United States of America 286
Bibliography and References 304
Suppliers 311
Useful Information 317
Index 319