As pool owners and contractors in California continue to face setbacks as a result of the state’s water shortage, it’s important to look to communities that are setting positive examples in the world of pool construction.
Right now, London is one of those communities.
This spring, the UK-city will open a naturally-filtered swimming pond in King’s Cross. The chemical-free swimming pond will be filtered solely by plants, and serves as a reminder of how we, as pool owners and contractors, can work to build and maintain more natural and eco-friendly pool systems.
Although the elements of an inground concrete pool significantly differ from an all-natural swimming pond, there are still several ways that you can create a more natural and environmentally friendly pool environment in your yard.
- Consider a saltwater pool. Even though the salt in a saltwater pool is used to create chlorine, a saltwater pool still has some benefits over a traditional chlorinated pool. For example, the amount of chlorine in a saltwater pool is minimal compared to a chlorinated pool, and the concentration of chlorine in the water is less likely to irritate skin and eyes.
Although a saltwater pool is not entirely chemical free, the system in the pool creates its own chlorine. This will prevent you from having to store chlorine in your home or garage, which can be a potential danger to children or animals. - Evaluate your landscaping. Plants, flowers and trees are great for adding elements of nature and peace to your yard. However, if you are looking to conserve water while still creating a blissful landscape, consider adding rocks in the place of more plants or grass. Rocks do not need to be replaced each season, so they also may help to save money in the long run.
- Install a pool cover. Of course, a pool cover does not replicate elements of nature and beauty, but it does help to preserve natural resources. Pool covers help to conserve water by preventing evaporation. Learn more about the benefits of pool covers by clicking here.
Given the name, “Of Soil and Water: King’s Cross Pond Club,” the swimming pond in London was designed “to make us think about the relationship between nature and the urban environment,” according to the King’s Cross website. These tips will hopefully inspire you to create a more natural poolscape while simultaneously helping to conserve resources.