Natural Pools - Natural Swimming Pools and Ponds

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/g1146/natural-swimming-pools/

Erik's Swimming Pool to Pond Conversion Welcome to my swimming pool to pond construction web page. I thought I would share with you a project I undertook converting a swimming pool to a pond. I moved into a house with an swimming pool near Portland, Oregon. I was always fond of ponds, and in fact, had built my first fish pond at my previous house. I always wanted a larger pond and here was my chance. I started with this 24' x 16' x 7' deep Doughboy pool. GeoPathfinder GeoPathfinder.com has moved to new addresses! The information on this page is no longer being updated or maintained. It has been divided into new categories, and it is built and edited using new software. The new categories and pages, formerly known as our Food Preservation Page are:Solar Food Drying , Energy-Wise Cooking & Canning , The Four-Season Pantry , and Live Food Storage . The following information is still posted for historical purposes only.

Natural Swimming Pools AKA Swimming Ponds Swimming can be great exercise and a lot of fun, not to mention an exciting sport at the Olympics. But the chlorine used in most pools can have some negative side effects, not the least of which is reliance on toxic (and finicky) chemicals. Chlorine’s damaging effects on hair are well known, but few people realize that a number of studies have linked inhalation of the chemical by swimmers to increased asthma rates (in fact a new Irish study published this April reported a significant link between the number of years a boy had been swimming and the likelihood of the child being wheezy in the past year). A Norwegian study also documented an increased risk of wheezing among children who swim in pools before 6 months of age. Further, in an unpleasant reaction, pee and sweat in water can react with chlorine to form toxic breakdown products known as chloramines. Filed Under: Environment

Terra Preta Toilets Urine diversion terra preta toilets are dry terra preta sanitation (TPS) systems based on urine diversion, lacto-fermentation, the addition of charcoal and vermicomposting to produce lasting and highly fertile soils with properties similar to the terra preta soils (GENSCH 2010 b). Pre-Columbian native populations generated terra preta soils, literally “black earth”, by incorporating large amounts of charred residues (charcoal) either produced intentionally or as a by-product from human activity into the soil together with nutrient-rich material (GLASER 2006). Nutrient-rich material was used to be human and animal manure (rich in P and N), waste including mammal and fish bones (rich in P and Ca), ash residues of incomplete combustions (rich in Ca, Mg, K, P and charcoal) or plant biomass (e.g. kitchen wastes, compost, algae etc.) (GLASER 2006). A typical soil from the Amazonian region (left).

Natural Swimming Ponds Natural swimming ponds are fast becoming the most popular home property accessory throughout the world. They are a beautiful natural-looking feature, made to you design and taste. you can swim in them or just look at them as beautiful garden art. Their advantages over chemical swimming pools are numerous. stunning natural focal point to any garden no planning permission needed no use of chlorine or chemicals whatsoever environmentally friendly extremely low running cost uses the latest proven filtration technology from Evolution Aqua blends in with your garden rather than looking unsightly individually designed to your taste and garden

Natural pools are beautiful and environmentally friendly A natural swimming pool is a magical addition to a home where you can observe nature throughout the seasons and be closer to the wildlife you share your land with. Some of the creatures you will attract are insects like water beetles and dragonflies; birds will visit the pond to bathe, feed and collect nesting material and amphibians like the frog and newt will take up residence. Your pond will become a stepping stone for the wilderness where local native flora and fauna will find your pool and flourish. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the Largest LEED Platinum Non-Profit Building in the World The new campus occupies a site located in downtown Seattle across the street from the Space Needle. Formerly an asphalt parking lot, the site was restored with more than 40 percent of it turned into 2 acres of living roofs and native landscaping around the buildings. “The project started seven years ago with the initial target of LEED Silver, in support of the City of Seattle’s green building mandate,” said Margaret Montgomery, principal and lead sustainable designer at NBBJ.

Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds Natural Pools or Natural Swimming Ponds (NSPs) Let nature clean the water... Chemical-free water garden and swimming pool. The plant portion, or regeneration zone, is separated from the swimming area by the wall seen a few inches below the water’s surface. naturalswimmingpools.com The pools have skimmers and pumps that circulate the water through the regeneration zone and back into the swimming area. The aquatic plants filter out contaminants and use nutrients from the water as food which helps prevent algae. Then rocks, such as granite river rock or haydite, to which friendly bacteria attach, act as biological filters.

Natural Swimming Ponds Ditch The Chemicals This gorgeous swimming pool isn’t a typical chlorine-filled watering hole–it’s actually a natural swimming pond that relies on plants to filter the water. (Don’t worry, you’re not swimming among the plants and stepping in squishy mud; the plant regeneration area is kept separate from the swimming area.) Even if you already have a swimming pool, you can enjoy the benefits of a chemical-free pond and relaxing natural environment using the structure you already have with a few design changes. Natural Swimming Ponds Natural swimming ponds, also called natural pools, are a wonderful way to recreate nature in your backyard. They offer a much lower maintenance alternative to conventional pools and allow you to swim in clean, chemical free water. Consider this comment from member, Emma O’Connor (left on our Natural Ponds blog): “I would love one of these. As a swimming teacher by trade I spend much time in chlorinated water…. not fun for skin, hair or eyes.” Another pool converted to a swimming pond

Water Arts Consulting - Natural Swim Ponds Here's a natural swim pond that encompasses both natural & modern aesthetics into the landscape. Click on the images below to enlarge: 27 Examples Of Living Willow Fences In Use Living Willow Hedges Or 'fedges' = fence + hedge. Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix (Latin for willow), which consist of around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs. Willow are native to moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Why pools are showing their natural side Raise your hand tif you’ve ever dreamt of ‘the perfect house’. Perhaps it’s an Italian style villa, a penthouse, or even a little cottage surrounded by trees, but what is certain is that the dream house will contain a pool. Far from reality however visions of a silent and calm stretch of water tend to omit the smell of chlorine and maintenance issues, which is why those in the know are opting for natural swimming pools. Natural swim pools (also called natural swimming ponds or biopools) combine the commodity of a pool with the elegance and the natural cleaning system of a small lake filled with plants.