Pure Swimming Bliss: Why Natural Pools are Better

Gone are the days of bathing in a pool of harsh chemicals, the appeal of natural pools reflects wider trends in our society to spend time in the outdoors, more closely connected with the nature around us in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way.

So what is a natural pool?

Swim Naturally, Live Sustainably

A natural pool is a swimming pool that uses plants and wildlife instead of chemicals to keep the water clean, it’s less aggressive with the skin and doesn’t cause irreparable damage to the environment as chemicals do. In fact they can create a desirable habitat for native species of plants and animals, creating a natural pool habitat helps to preserve the environment.

Say Goodbye to Chemicals, Hello to Nature

Why choose a natural pool? The abrasive chemicals of chlorinated pools are known to irritate the skin and other parts of the body, often causing outbreaks of acne and other skin conditions. Indeed, studies have shown a 60% increase in asthma rates among children regularly swimming in chlorinated pools. Furthermore these chemicals invade all the animal’s ecosystem around the pool, affecting their health to the point of potentially killing them.

How does it work? The magic of nature itself

Rather than relying on traditional chemicals such as chlorine, a heavy contributor to carbon emissions, natural pools utilise the tools that nature has given us. This takes the form of aquatic plants and biological filters. The aquatic plants are carefully selected nitrogen hungry plants, by eating the nitrogen in the water they prevent an excessive build up of algae in the water, maintaining our natural pool. This offers a way in which to maintain the cleanliness of the pool for our enjoyment, while also promoting biodiversity and reducing water consumption by up to 50%. Wildlife is encouraged to become part of the natural cycle in these pools, living in and around them, supporting the plant and animal life, rather than the sterile environment found in a chlorinated pool. This offers a swimming experience in which to engage ourselves with the natural world, rather than pushing it away from our day to day.

Why it’s good for the environment

Most obvious benefit of a natural pool is the respect their use affords to the environment around us, not using chemicals to keep it ‘‘clean’’ decreases the chance of environmental damage and provides a new potential space for local species, contributing to the animal and plant reserve.

Good for nature, good for us

Chlorine is a poison which we can’t help but absorb when we bathe in it. We have all felt the tight irritating feel on our skin when we have spent time in a chlorine pool. For people with eczema this can be so debilitating that it makes the use of a chlorinated pool impossible. On the other hand the small amounts of algae that remain in the pool are actually nourishing for our skin. After swimming in a natural pool your skin feels velvety and silky soft.

“It’s a real pain to get my hopes up when there’s a pool and to have them disappointed by the chlorine. However, when I first experienced the natural pool, it genuinely felt softer and my eczema didn’t act up at all.” – William Chmielewski.

Not only does the switch to natural pools help to improve our physical health, swimming in natural pools also benefits our mental health. Swimming amongst the vibrancy of vegetation and the local wildlife, has proven to help reduce stress levels by making us feel at one with nature. A part of nature rather than apart from it. The sterile environment of chlorinated pools, is unable to give you the experience of the outdoors that you enjoy while bathing in the charm of a natural pool which can have the effect of making you feel like you are swimming through  a Monet painting.

The Dis-Advantages of a Natural Pool

The only thing you have to be aware of with a natural swimming pool is that guests mustn’t use sunblock filled with nasty chemicals as once in the system they are in there forever. There are plenty of bio-degradable organic sun tan lotions which will not harm the swimming pool or infect the system or guests can just go lotion free. Short bursts of sunshine are actually good for you and your skin.

The amazing pool at La Belle Eco – the largest in the Aude

At La Belle Eco our natural pool, which at 14m is believed to be the largest in the Aude provides us and our guests with no end of delights. Crafted to connect yourself with the natural environment, floating amongst the wildflowers and frogs, a haven in which nature cares for body and soul, as we respect the wonders of its life cycle. You can float away in the nourishing waters as dragonflies dance over head. The delights of the pool often attract our four pawed friends too. They like to come and drink from the waters, which they are able to do because of the nature of the water. Once our guests have experienced the delights of a natural swimming pool many vow that they will never go back. Come and see if you will be a convert to the delights a natural pool and wildlife conservation can offer.