Unfortunately we cannot offer you building instructions for creating a swimming pond. The structural requirements are different on every property, as are the individual wishes of the future natural pool owners. Nevertheless, we have many practical tips for you to help with planning.
What should you consider when building a swimming pond yourself?
To build a swimming pond yourself, you should consider the size, location, subsoil properties, safety and water quality. In addition, biological filter systems and compliance with quality guidelines and legal regulations are important. Specialist advice and possibly building permits may be required.
The idea of building a swimming pond in your own garden existed many generations ago, but it was first practiced in Europe in 1954 in an Austrian water nursery. Until then, there were a lot of swimming pools around the world that were essentially cast in concrete and stone, but this had little to do with a natural swimming biotope with its different regeneration zones made of aquatic plants.
Basic design idea of the natural pool
The construction principle, according to which the house and swimming pond form a natural unit, can also be traced back to a drawing published in 1980 in today's common and self-created natural swimming ponds. After that, the swimming and vegetation zones of the bathing biotope were spatially separated from each other by walls and only connected to each other above the water level in the upper third.
Important questions for building your own in advance
Before you can start digging the pit, there are a few crucial questions that need to be answered when building a swimming pond. If the end goal is to become a functional natural pool that does not require excessively complex filter technology, the minimum size of the water surface is at least 60 m2. However, sizes between 70 and 150 m2 are common when creating swimming ponds. So: plan to build your own swimming pond as large as possible right from the start? Probably yes, although it should be taken into account that as the size and DEPTH increases, the amount of earth that has to be removed from the property also increases proportionately. Other important approaches that play an important role in the rough preliminary planning of a swimming pond:
- Groundwater level of the site;
- Accessibility of the future construction site (excavator, tipper, etc.);
- Condition of the building site (even, slope, subsoil material e.g. solid, loose or clay);
- Accessibility of the swimming pond (existing paths, fences to neighboring properties, security for residents and guests);
- Is a building permit possibly required?
- What is the quality of the filling water; Type of planned biological filtering (running or still water; are additional filter systems required?);
- Construction type (vertical walls or earth-modeled); Type of sealing (concrete, foil, stainless steel);
The cost issue when building a swimming pond?
As we have already worked out with the construction costs for the garden pond, it is difficult to compare apples and pears with each other, because the price, even for your own swimming lake, depends largely on the local terrain and personal needs. However, the follow-up costs that are to be expected for the smooth operation of a swimming pond are different from the ornamental pond. Just a few examples to consider:
- Power consumption for underwater lighting, countercurrent system, pond heating, water pumps and pond filters;
- Purchase of accessories (landing net, telescopic poles, brushes, dirt or floor vacuum (€29.00 on Amazon) and other cleaning tools as well as leaf protection nets);
- Swimming pond fertilizer;
- Service costs for the respective season preparation (winter / spring);
- Water costs and sewerage fees;
Do-it-yourself swimming pond: an ambitious project
Taking into account all possible risks as well as the expected construction effort for creating a natural swimming pond, an amateur implementation can not only lead to disruptions in operation, but also to considerable additional costs. Building a swimming pond is a very complex investment, so only an experienced specialist can guarantee the flawless functionality of the feel-good oasis. In addition to the regulated interaction of currents, inflows and outflows, modern and correspondingly high-quality technology play just as important a role as maintaining optimal water quality.
On building permits and other legal regulations
As with many other buildings, the planned construction of a swimming pond on your own property may require approval. The legal regulations often differ significantly between the federal states and, according to our research, it is not uncommon for building applications to be rejected. It is therefore advisable to go to the local building authority in order to avoid later consequences in advance, which can also include disputes with neighbors.
Observe quality guidelines when building swimming ponds
In German-speaking countries there are standards and recommendations that property owners who want to create a natural pool must adhere to. In Germany it is the “Guideline for the planning, construction and maintenance of private swimming and bathing ponds” issued by the Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau e. V. was last updated in 2017. The 88 pages cover, among other things: at:
- Specification of the system types with regard to their nature, filtration, biological properties, preparation and care as well as maintenance;
- Update of legal and normative bases;
- Comprehensive description of the requirements for building materials for swimming ponds;
- Update of structural requirements and
- Differentiated description of water treatment/treatment areas.
Just from these few examples alone it becomes clear that the scope for the property owners in the structural design and execution of a swimming pond is very limited and practical support from a specialist company would therefore be advisable.
Realistic planning for swimming pond construction
First and foremost, the planned use of the new bathing biotope should be carefully considered in order to then draw concrete conclusions about the location of the swimming pond within the property as well as its size and shape. In addition, your time commitment in connection with the construction and the financial budget will probably play an important role. Before you start with the detailed planning drafts for your natural pool and go to the drawing board, it's best to take a look at a few examples of successful pond construction in your neighborhood. Visiting a pond that has been in operation for a year or two not only creates new inspiration for your own construction plan, but also avoids construction mistakes that other pond owners may have had to make.
Which questions still belong on the agenda?
Many details that were not taken into account during the project planning can still be corrected after completion, but the effort involved is quite high and not always inexpensive. Important and worth considering are, among other things: the following aspects:
- Should the swimming pond have a naturally formed structure (lots of space with massive earth masses) or should it have brick walls (better positioning on the property with a more “synthetic” look)?
- Who will actually swim in the pond later? Are they children, adults or a mixed group of people?
- Should animals be settled in and around the pond? Will the water surface and banks be planted?
- What should the bank area look like (starting from the entrance to the terrace-like design or the construction of a sun deck as a resting place for the entire family?);
Safety at the swimming pond
Artificially created water areas, regardless of the type, are always a source of danger, from rain barrels to garden ponds, which must be given special consideration during planning. Structural safety devices in the form of railings, fences or covers that protect both children and visitors or people who enter the property without authorization help to effectively prevent accidents in the pond area.
The perfect place to create a swimming pond
Bathers and aquatic plants feel best in a well-tempered, light-drenched pool, although it must be noted that too much sun promotes algae growth and can cause the swimming pond to “tip over” in extreme heat. Therefore, a spot that is shaded by larger trees from late morning to afternoon is better. In addition, the size of the water surface and the depth have a significant influence on the water temperature. It is also important that the garden pond and its surroundings fit harmoniously and seamlessly into the rest of the garden area.
What to do on hilly terrain?
If large masses of earth are moved, especially near houses, static problems can quickly arise, even on slight slopes, if the pond later contains thousands of liters of water. For this reason, a swimming pond must never be built using a supporting earth wall. If it is built into the ground, the surrounding area is less at risk of slipping and can be additionally secured with walls if necessary. As part of your planning of the pool size, the pond profile and any embankments that may be created, also take into account additional amounts of water, which can reach considerable proportions and cause flooding if it rains continuously over several days.
Not all water is the same
Although the water quality in Germany is comparatively high and is subject to constant food technology monitoring, water hardness, pH value as well as lime and chlorine content vary greatly depending on the geological properties of the soil and also regionally. Since the collection of rainwater for the initial filling of the garden pond is usually out of the question if the roof area of the residential building is of normal size, a laboratory test of the drinking water should definitely take place before construction work begins. Also important: Even if you want to extract groundwater yourself via a deep well, depending on the federal state, its use as swimming pond water may be restricted or even prohibited by the authorities.
Biological balance in the swimming pond
Standing, originally clean water has the property that after a short time it develops into a very lively habitat for microorganisms. If the pond water is left to its own devices, algae will form in a few weeks until they can no longer find food. A complex filter system is therefore required that maintains the water quality in compliance with the strict legal regulations, so that future swimming pond owners cannot reach their goal at this point without the advice of an experienced specialist.
Tip
If possible, start collecting rainwater as early as possible when planning to create a swimming pond. As so-called “soft” water, it contains no lime and, when mixed with tap water, has a balancing effect that significantly promotes the growth of “natural” filters, such as floating and underwater plants.
