Unfortunately, we cannot offer you construction instructions for the swimming pond. The structural requirements are different on each property, as are the individual wishes of future natural pool owners. Nevertheless, we have many practical tips for you to help with the planning.

If you do a lot yourself, you save money

The idea of building a swimming pond in your own garden was around many generations ago, but it was first put into practice in Europe in 1954 in an Austrian water garden. Up to that point, there had been plenty of swimming pools all over the world that were practically cast in concrete and stone, but this had little to do with a near-natural bathing 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 for the natural swimming ponds that are customary today and that are self-made. According to this, the swimming and vegetation zones of the bathing biotope were spatially separated from one another by walls and only connected to one another in the upper third via the water level.

Important questions for self-construction in advance

Before you can start digging the pit, there are a few crucial questions to be answered when building a swimming pond. If it is ultimately to be a functional natural pool that does not require overly complex filter technology, the minimum size of the water surface is at least 60 m2. When creating swimming ponds, however, sizes between 70 and 150 m2 are common. So: plan to build your own swimming pond as big as possible right from the start? Presumably yes, bearing in mind that as size and DEPTH increase, the amount of soil to be removed from the property increases proportionately significantly. Other important approaches that already 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, dump truck, etc.);
  • Condition of the building plot (level, 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 required?
  • What is the quality of the fill water; Type of biological filtering planned (flowing or standing water; are additional filter systems required?);
  • type of construction (vertical walls or earth modeled); type of waterproofing (concrete, foil, stainless steel);

The question of costs 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 of your own bathing lake also depends to a large extent on the terrain on site and personal needs. Unlike the ornamental pond, however, the expected follow-up costs that are to be expected for the smooth operation of a swimming pond are different. Just a few examples to consider:

  • Power consumption for underwater lighting, counter-current system, pond heating, water pumps and pond filters;
  • Acquisition of accessories (landing nets, telescopic poles, brushes, debris or floor vacuum cleaners 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 sewage charges;

Do-it-yourself swimming pond: an ambitious project!

Considering all possible risks as well as the expected construction costs for the creation of a natural swimming pond, an amateurish execution can not only lead to disruptions in operation, but also to considerable additional costs. The construction of the swimming pond is a very complex investment, so only an experienced specialist can guarantee the perfect 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 the optimum water quality.

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. A visit to the local building authority is therefore recommended in order to avoid later consequences, which can also include neighborly disputes, in advance.

Observe quality guidelines when building a swimming pond

In the 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" published by the research company Landscape Development Landscape Construction e. V. was last updated in 2022. On 88 pages it is u. a. around:

  • Specification of the plant types with regard to their nature, filtration, biological properties, processing and care as well as maintenance;
  • Updating of legal and normative bases;
  • Comprehensive description of the requirements for building materials for swimming ponds;
  • Updating the structural requirements and
  • Differentiated description of the water treatment/treatment areas.

These few examples alone make it clear that the property owner has very limited scope for the structural design and execution of a swimming pond and that practical support from a specialist company would therefore be advisable.

Realistic planning for swimming pond construction

In any case, the planned use of the new bathing biotope should be thoroughly considered in order to derive concrete conclusions about the position of the swimming pond within the property as well as its size and shape. In addition, your time capacity 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 is best to take a look at some examples of successful pond construction in your neighborhood. If you visit a pond that has already been in operation for a year or two, you will not only get completely new inspiration for your own construction plan, but also avoid construction mistakes that other pond owners may have had to make.

What questions are still on the agenda?

Many subtleties that were not taken into account during project planning can still be corrected after completion, but the effort involved is quite high and not always inexpensive. Important and worth considering are u. a. the following aspects:

  • Should the swimming pond have a naturally formed structure (plenty of space with massive masses of earth) or brick walls (better positioning on the property with a more “synthetic” look)?
  • Who will actually be swimming in the pond later? Is it 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 with the entrance to the terrace-like design or the construction of a sun deck as a haven for the whole family?);

Safety at the swimming pond

Artificially created water areas, no matter what type of construction, are always a source of danger, from rain barrels to garden ponds, which must be given special consideration right from the planning stage. Structural safety devices in the form of railings, fences or covers, which both children and visitors or persons who enter the property without authorization, help to prevent accidents in the pond area effectively.

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 contribute to the swimming pond "tipping over" in extreme heat. Therefore, a pitch that is shaded by larger trees from late morning to late afternoon is better. In addition, the size of the water surface and the depth have a significant impact 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 amounts 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. Therefore, 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. When planning the size of the pool, the pond profile and any embankments to be created, also take into account additional amounts of water, which can take on considerable proportions and cause flooding if it rains continuously for several days.

Water is not just water

Although the water quality in Germany is comparatively high and is subject to constant food-related monitoring, water hardness, pH value as well as lime and chlorine content vary greatly depending on the geological condition of the soil, but also from region to region. Since the collection of rainwater for the first filling of the garden pond is usually not an option with a normal-sized roof area of the residential building, a laboratory test of the drinking water should definitely be carried out before the start of the construction work. Also important: Even if you want to pump groundwater yourself via a deep well, the use as swimming pond water can be restricted or even forbidden by the authorities - depending on the federal state.

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. It therefore requires a complex filter system 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 at the latest without the advice of an experienced specialist.

tips

If possible, start collecting rainwater as early as possible when you are 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.

Category:

Garden design