62-63 ECO POOLS:SPN Master pages 15/7/09 00:37 Page 3
spnfeature
“A NATURAL SWIMMING POOL IS LIKE A LAKE WITHOUT
THE POLLUTION. IT IS CLEANED AND CLARIFIED USING
AQUATIC PLANTS AS FILTERS AND CONSUMERS OF TOXINS”
It is difficult to compare the cost of an to carry out some fantastic designs. “A natural swimming pool is like a lake
eco pool with a conventional one. The cost “In March and April we had a lot more without the pollution. It is cleaned and
of building a conventional pool is interest than we normally do in those clarified using aquatic plants as filters and
significantly lower as it more straightforward months, so I think there was a pent-up consumers of toxins. As we use bog areas
and easy to build. A natural swimming pool, demand from people who had put the idea to filter water gardens, we use large bog
on the other hand, provides not just a pool, on hold for a while.” areas to filter the swimming pond. The
but a year-round water feature that is Currently, GartenArt’s single construction bog area needs to be at least the same
cheaper to maintain because there are no team, which has remained unchanged since size as the swimming area to ensure there
chemical or energy requirements and the business was founded, can only cope are sufficient grasses, plants, roots to filter
doesn’t need to be emptied and re-filled with one project at a time. The next big the water and enough microorganisms to
every year. restrict algae growth. The water is
People who suffer from eczema or circulated naturally because it is different
asthma often have problems swimming in The ‘Eco’ philosophy temperatures at different depths.
conventional pools, whereas a natural pool The concept of the green ‘eco’ “A small pump is needed to help the
would be a natural choice. In addition, pool is to have two distinct areas circulation process. A skimmer removes
natural pools can be educational for that are kept separate by an leaves as they fall in. This natural filtering
children and are aesthetically pleasing. underwater barrier that allows the process keeps the water cleaner than a
The added benefit is that the ponds water to circulate while keeping chlorinated pool. The water quality meets
make an attractive landscape feature and the foliage and associated pond all European standards for cleanliness and
wildlife sanctuary. life clear of the swimming area. can be considered drinkable quality.
GartenArt Natural Swimming Ponds has The two areas combine to create In the United States, the natural pools
been operating for almost six years. They an ecologically balanced, self- banner has been taken up by Expanding
have now built more than 40 ponds in Europe cleaning environment that doesn’t Horizons which has been designing and
and America, including one measuring 600 need chemicals installing eco pools projects since 1978.
square metres for Charles Dunstone, founder Founder Bryan Morse says they
of the Carphone Warehouse. incorporate technology commonly found in
Tim Evans, GartenArt’s Managing step will be to take on a second conventional pools such as pool cleaners,
Director, runs the company’s UK office and construction team, which will allow the surface skimmers and main drains. The
has experience in all aspects of natural company to handle twice the number of designs often include beach style
swimming pool design, construction, projects. “I will have to make the decision entrances to the pool, and water plants are
technology and project management. He when the right time to do that is, but at the seeded into the nooks and crannies
oversees the design and construction teams. moment I think it will be next spring.” between the perimeter boulders to
“The industry is quite mature in Germany French eco pool designer Andre Devoir enhance the natural experience.
and Austria, where there are quite a few said: “The natural swimming pool business “There is certainly a market for them. I
public swimming ponds as well, but really took off in Germany, Austria and Italy think they appeal to a certain kind of
virtually unknown in this country,” said Tim. and started to show signs of interest in the customer who wants to see the pool for
“They are the next step in man-made UK about 1985. The systems are now their family as part of the garden and
swimming facilities, to produce one of the becoming increasingly popular in the something which blends in with the
most innovative and complete garden United States but with a wall built of wood landscape rather than being separate hard
features available. separating the planting area from the lined structures of a traditional pool. The
“Our speciality is producing clean, clear swimming area and attached to the liner at last three years has seen the interest really
swimming water using natural purification the bottom. take off. We can’t at the moment cope
methods. We also carry out swimming “I prefer the European style because at with the interest.” spn
pool conversions, and pond/lake no time is the liner penetrated and a liner
restorations, but our main work to date has is probably the weakest part of the entire
GARTENART
been designing and building natural system. Even at 40 mm thick, a rubber or
telephonesolid 020 7183 3333
swimming pools and swimming ponds from liner can be penetrated if something sharp
envelopeback
info@gartenart.co.uk
scratch – this also gives us the opportunity and heavy enough falls in it.
pc
www.gartenart.co.uk
Visit our website at
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk AUGUST 09 swimming pool news 63
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