Swimming pools, natural swimming pools and ponds: bringing water into the outdoor design

Water changes the use, the microclimate and the layout of the garden. Conventional pools, natural swimming pools and ponds have different systems and levels of maintenance.

It is established whether the main aim is to swim, to contemplate, to create habitat or to combine functions. This decision determines form, depth, treatment and safety.

Sun, wind, views, proximity to the house and service access all influence the position. Nearby trees give shade, but also leaves and roots.

The relationship with the ground settles the entry, the edge, the overflow and the drainage. On slopes, the pool may need substantial retaining structures.

Treatment is mechanical and chemical. Plant room, pipework, cover and cleaning are integrated without dominating the garden.

Water quality depends on the combination of bathing zone, filtration and, in some systems, vegetation. It does not mean an absence of equipment or maintenance.

Sizing should be done by specialists in the chosen system.

An ornamental pond needs a balance between depth, circulation, plants and wildlife. Fish increase the organic load and call for filtration to match.

Paving must be safe when wet. Planting is chosen with leaf fall, roots, shade and the visual relationship in mind.

Pools, structures and waterproofing may be subject to planning procedures and constraints. The assessment is made for the specific project.

The water receives leaves, dust, nutrients and organic matter. Circulation, filtration and maintenance need to match the use.

Water that looks clear is not automatically fit for bathing. In a pond, ecologically active water does not follow the same parameters as a conventional pool.

Depth, access, barriers, lighting and non-slip surfaces depend on the use and on the legislation. A private home, a hotel and a public space carry different responsibilities.

Safety should be part of the concept from the start. Adding a barrier at the end can completely change the relationship between the water and the garden.

Pumps, heating, filtration and backwashing consume resources. Covers can reduce evaporation in conventional pools, while planting and shape influence how ponds and natural swimming pools behave.

The system should be sized for the season of use and for the real capacity for maintenance. Larger equipment does not, in itself, guarantee greater efficiency.

Pools, structures, waterproofing and ground modelling may be subject to planning procedures and to land-use constraints.

The situation should be analysed for the plot, the PDM (municipal master plan) and the legal framework in force. It should not be concluded that a piece of work is exempt simply because of its size or because it is located in the garden.

A conventional pool requires control of filtration, disinfection and cleaning. A natural swimming pool involves technical maintenance and management of the planted zones. A pond may need sediment removal, plant control and monitoring of the fish.

A natural appearance does not mean an absence of equipment or work. The client should know the routine, the skills required and the consumption involved before choosing.

Trees create shade and framing, but they produce leaves, fruit and roots. The distance should take account of their size and of access for cleaning.

Marginal plants need their own depth and substrate. Planting must not completely hide plant rooms, filters or inspection points.

• Reading the site
• Garden drainage

1. Principles of design and hydraulics for pools, natural swimming pools and ponds.
2. Planning framework applicable to the plot and to the work.