Is a truly sustainable natural pool possible?

pollinator

Posts: 52

posted 13 years ago

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David

Thanks for participating in permies. Honestly I have never heard of natural pools like you are doing. It is so cool. A couple of general questions came up watching all the accompanying youtube vidoes:
1) can this be done without using the mechanisms, gizmos, and plastic pipe? A "true" sustainable natural pool?
2) I noticed some of the pools were in neighborhods. Have there been government/community problems doing these since they "aren't normal pools" or is everybody receptive? I am thinking of the overprotective neighbor mother not "wanting her precious to swim in a nasty pond".

Anyway, way to go with an awsome idea. The only thing missing for perfection were some trout.

Randy

David Pagan Butler

author

Posts: 31

posted 13 years ago

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Hi Randy, thank you for having me on here.

1) Yes, you could have a pool without any gizmos but it would have to be large enough to allow natural convection currents to provide all the circulation (around 1000 square feet). The pool also needs to be carefully shaped to aid the convection.

2) Everyone is very receptive! The only trouble with neighbours we have, is they are often popping round with their children for a swim.

Hi I’m David. I am probably the only person to have two Organic Pools (aka Natural Swimming Pools). The reason for this over indulgence was to make a DIY film of the process. Loads of these pools have been made all over the place, helping make the world slightly wetter, pond by pond. I have also made a short film for the BBC about Natural Swimming Pools introducing the concept to a wider audience here in the UK. As a consequence of all of this, I have started giving courses to fellow self-builders who have traveled from far and wide to come and sit in my garden and talk about pools and ponds for two days. What could be nicer?
David Pagan Butler organicpools.co.uk

Brenda Groth

pollinator

Posts: 4437

Location: North Central Michigan

posted 13 years ago

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we have always had natural ponds on our properties, I only put a pump/filter in this year cause one was given to me, but never had any before.

Brenda

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