Beautiful, natural swimming pools designed for the UK.
A natural swimming pool is a swimming environment that uses the principles of freshwater ecology to help maintain water quality.
Instead of depending solely on chlorine and intensive mechanical filtration, the pool incorporates a biological regeneration system. Water is circulated through areas containing aquatic and marginal plants, where naturally occurring biological processes help remove nutrients from the water.
The result is a swimming environment that feels much closer to swimming in a natural body of water.
The water is not sterilised in the same way as a conventional chemically treated swimming pool. Instead, the aim is to establish a balanced aquatic ecosystem in which the water remains clean and suitable for swimming.
Natural swimming pools can also become an attractive feature within a wider garden, with planting, stonework, terraces, decking and surrounding landscaping incorporated into the design.
Design features
Every garden and property is different, so Fairwater approaches natural swimming pool projects on a bespoke basis.
The design needs to consider both the visual appearance of the pool and the technical requirements of the water system.
Fairwater has extensive experience producing detailed technical designs for water features. Designs can be developed from an architect’s, landscape designer’s or client’s initial concept and translated into practical construction information.
This allows the natural swimming pool to be considered as part of the overall garden rather than as a separate installation.
Our technical design process can consider:
Pool dimensions and configuration
Swimming depth and access
Regeneration areas
Water circulation and flow rates
Pump selection and positioning
Pipework and hydraulic requirements
Waterproofing
Planting areas
Construction details
Surrounding landscaping
Future maintenance
Integration with the existing garden
A natural swimming pool can become the focal point of a garden.
Rather than looking like an addition to the landscape, the pool and its regeneration areas can be integrated with planting, terraces, paths, natural stone, timber and other garden features.
For a contemporary property, a swimming pool can be given clean architectural lines with carefully controlled planting and hard landscaping.
For a country garden, the design can be softer and more informal, with natural stone, aquatic planting and gently planted margins creating a more organic appearance.
The possibilities are extensive.
Fairwater works with private clients, garden designers, landscape contractors and architects to develop water features that are appropriate to both the property and its wider landscape.
About Fairwater
Fairwater has been designing and constructing water gardens for decades.
Established in 1993, the company works on domestic and commercial projects and provides services ranging from technical design through to specialist construction and maintenance. Natural swimming pools were added to Fairwater’s services in 2003 through a partnership with BioNova of Germany.
This combination of water garden experience and specialist natural swimming pool knowledge allows Fairwater to approach each project from both a technical and landscape perspective.
We can work with:
Private homeowners
Garden designers
Landscape architects
Architects
Landscape contractors
Property developers
Commercial clients
Fairwater can provide specialist construction services for natural swimming pool projects, with the construction approach tailored to each site.
Where required, Fairwater can provide a turnkey service covering the major stages of the installation, including excavation, groundworks, construction, waterproofing, pipework and commissioning.
Alternatively, the project can be divided between Fairwater and an existing landscape or construction team.
This can allow the client’s site team to undertake appropriate elements of the works while Fairwater concentrates on specialist aspects such as waterproofing, pipework, hydraulics and water treatment systems.
The work is carried out in accordance with the technical design developed for the project.
Natural Swimming Pool FAQ
Natural swimming pools are designed to use biological processes as the principal method of maintaining water quality, rather than relying on conventional chlorine treatment. The exact specification and water management system will depend on the design of the individual pool.
A properly designed and maintained natural swimming pool is intended to provide a suitable swimming environment. Unlike a conventional pool, however, the water is not completely sterilised, as it forms part of a living biological ecosystem.
Natural swimming pools use biological filtration through their regeneration areas, together with appropriate water circulation and, depending on the system, additional technical equipment. The specification is determined during the design process.
The planted regeneration areas and freshwater environment can provide habitat for insects, amphibians and other wildlife. The exact wildlife attracted will depend on the design, planting and surrounding garden.
Natural swimming pools are bespoke and can be designed around the characteristics and available space of a site. The required swimming and regeneration areas, access, circulation and other technical requirements all need to be considered before establishing what is practical.
The pool can remain an active feature throughout the year, although swimming habits will naturally depend on the season, weather and individual preferences. The surrounding planting and landscape can also ensure that the pool remains an attractive garden feature outside the main swimming season.
Natural swimming pools require ongoing maintenance to manage planting, remove unwanted growth and check pumps, circulation and other equipment. Fairwater offers maintenance services to help keep water gardens and swimming pools operating effectively.
Yes. Fairwater can tailor its construction service to work alongside an existing site team. Specialist elements such as waterproofing, pipework and filtration can be undertaken by Fairwater while other construction work is completed by the appointed contractor.
Yes. Fairwater can provide technical design and specialist construction for natural swimming pool projects, from initial planning through to commissioning.
Talk to Fairwater about your project and discover how we can help turn your ideas into a carefully designed natural swimming pool.
