Bio permaculture 04a.11f: Pond as a purification plant: The swimming pool without chlorine

The bio purification plant is being expanded into a swimming pool

   
Winterthur (Switzerland): Natural swimming pool "Geisel Meadow" (Geiselweid) [3] --
Swimming pool without chlorine: Natural swimming pool at Kriens (Switzerland) [4]

News

presented by Michael Palomino

Switzerland with 9 natural swimming pools without chlorine on June 15, 2024:
9 cool organic swimming pools: Here you swim like in a lake:
(orig. German: 9 coole Bio-Badis: Hier schwimmst du wie im See)
Biberstein AG -- Riehen BS -- Kriens LU -- Beringen SH -- Breitenbach SO -- Greifensee ZH -- Maschwanden ZH -- Schlieren ZH -- Winterthur: Swimming pool Geiselweid ZH
https://greencircle.ch/de/natur/schwimmen-wie-im-see-in-der-badi

Translation:



von Tom Wyss - Neben Seen und Flüssen sorgen hierzulande auch immer mehr Bio-Badis für eine willkommene und naturnahe Erfrischung im Sommer. Wir zeigen, wo überall du diese kriegst – und wie die chlorfreien Pools funktionieren.

by Mr. Tom Wyss - Alongside lakes and rivers, more and more organic baths are providing a welcome and natural refreshment in the summer. We show where you can find these – and how the chlorine-free pools work.

[...] As early as the year 2000, the first chlorine-free bath opened in Biberstein (canton of Aargau), which is regarded as a showcase project throughout Europe due to its various biological water treatment types. Several others followed throughout Switzerland, such as the Naturbad Frohmatt in Breitenbach (canton of Solothurn), the Parkbad in Kriens (near Lucerne), the Gwaage Swimming Pool at Beringen (canton of Schaffhausen), and the bio swimming pool of Riehen (near Basel). Additionally, there are four baths in Zurich: an event park "Milandia" at Greifensee, at Maschwanden, at Schlieren, and the swimming pool "Geiselweid" in Winterthur.

Sustainability is becoming more popular
According to experts, further natural bathing paradises are likely to follow. Requests from municipalities have increased significantly in the last three to four years, says Matthias Frei from the General Swimming Pond Association (Allgemeiner Schwimmteich Club - ASC) Switzerland. This body, together with the Swimming Pond Association (Schwimmteichverband) of Switzerland, deals with the concerns of biological swimming pools. The reason for the increase: Some swimming pools in Switzerland are in need of renovation, and in some places, the decision is whether to close or to renovate. "Biological water treatment is increasingly being seen as a clear alternative", says Frei.

The advantages of a natural swimming pool are obvious: it is about sustainability in bathing operations, because substances containing chlorine can harm the environment if they enter in waters. A recent comparative study for a public pool also found that both water consumption (-90 percent) and energy requirements (-50 percent) are significantly reduced in the biological variant. Additionally, operating costs are about 30 percent lower.

The pleasantly soft bathing water
Add to this, there is a natural experience in the middle of the village or city – and not least the well-being of the guests: bathing in swimming ponds or biological pools is considered extremely pleasant because the water feels very soft and is also suitable for swimmers with sensitive skin or for people with allergies. Moreover, it is odorless and does not irritate mucous membranes or eyes. Hence, red eyes like in a chlorinated pool are a thing of the past in a natural swimming pool!

9 biological pools

Biberstein (canton of Aargau)
Being able to offer bathing in and with nature was one of the reasons for the responsible groups in the municipality of Biberstein AG to transform the chlorinated pool into a nature-oriented swimming area – a pioneering achievement in Switzerland. There is a large main pool entirely bordered by wood as well as a children's pool.


Swimming pool without chlorine: Natural swimming pool Biberstein [1]

Riehen (near Basel)
The natural bath in Riehen near Basel fits very stylishly into nature thanks to a lot of wood and lush riverside planting – and bears the signature of its architects Herzog & de Meuron. They have turned the pool into a true natural oasis, with a swimming pool, a non-swimming area with a beach section, and a pool for toddlers. [Underground the motorway with cars and lorries is running].


Swimming pool without chlorine: Natural swimming pool of Riehen [2]

Beringen (canton of Schaffhausen)
The swimming pool of "Gwaage" at the village of Beringen in the canton of Schaffhausen has also been transformed into a natural pool as part of a renovation. The facilities include a swimming pool with a diving rock, a non-swimmer area, and a paddling pool with a play creek.

Winterthur (canton of Zurich): Natural swimming pool Geisel Meadow (Geiselweid)
The natural pool in the Geiselweid outdoor pool is one of the pools where a natural pool serves as an alternative to conventional swimming pools. The natural pool was opened as part of renovation work in 2008 – and with an area of 900 square meters, it is the largest in Switzerland. The pool is divided into swimming and non-swimming areas.

Winterthur ZH: Natural swimming pool of Geisel Meadow (Geiselweid) [3]

Greifensee (canton of Zurich)
In the adventure park "Milandia" at Lake Greifen (Greifensee), there is a natural pool that includes both a swimming area and a non-swimming area, as well as a wading pool for children.

Maschwanden (canton of Zurich)
The Maschwanden swimming pool is picturesque in the southwest of the canton of Zurich. Since the renovation in 2014, the water has been biologically purified. There is a swimming pool and a wading pool.

Breitenbach (canton of Solothurn)
The natural swimming pool Frohmatt at Breitenbach of canton Solothurn has a 25-meter pool, a non-swimmer pool, and a splash area with a waterfall.

Kriens (near Lucerne)
In the park swimming pool at the town of Kriens, the natural pool is combined with conventional swimming and diving pools. The natural pool includes an adventure bay with a climbing wall and a 70-meter slide. Additionally, there is a shallow water area with a pebble beach and a splash area for younger children.

Swimming pool without chlorine: Natural swimming pool of Kriens (near Lucerne) [4]

Schlieren (canton of Zurich)
The biological swimming pool of Schlieren is called "In the moss" ("Im Moos") and offers a swimming pool, a diving pool, and an almost 70-meter long water slide.

Microorganisms instead of chlorine
But how does the water remain clean without chlorine? The trick goes with microorganisms that are also found in every natural body of water. These are settled in biofilters and remove the nutrients and fine substances introduced into the flowing water. Thanks to this treatment, the continuous water exchange, which is necessary in a chlorinated bath, is no longer required.

As bathering guests, we should also ensure that the water remains clean. This means: Just like in traditional pools, intensive showering before swimming is mandatory, as well as using a waterproof sunscreen, which is best applied at home.

[Sun protection goes with natural oils like olive oil link - or also with nutrition like tomatoes link. Sun creams are NOT needed or only on hiking tours of over 3000 m over sea level - or on the Mount Everest].

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Sources
[web01] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pflanzenkläranlage
[web02] https://naturbauhof.de/lad_pka_funktion.php
[web03] https://www.dehner.de/produkte/schilfrohr-X008313884/


Photo sources
[1] Teich mit Schilfteich nebendran: https://naturbauhof.de/lad_pka_funktion.php
[2] Schilfteich als Kläranlage, Pflanzenkläranlage in der Ebene oder am Hang: https://naturbauhof.de/lad_pka_funktion.php
[3] Teichkläranlage im Bau: https://www.aquant.de
[4] Teichkläranlage fertig am Laufen: https://www.aquant.de
[5] Swimming Pool mit Klärpflanze Schilf: https://www.aquant.de

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