Natural swimming pools
The pool or swimming pool have been a popular feature for several millennia even though its popularity level has been far from constant.
A pool can be built either above or in the ground, and must normally be sanitized to prevent bacteria, virus and other potentially dangerous microorganisms from reaching hazardous levels. You will also need to perform algae control and insect control, due to the fact that algae are unsightly and insects like moquitos can spread dangerous diseases.
There are several methods to keep the pool sanitary such as using a bio filter and/or chemicals like chlorine and bromine. During recent decades, there has also been a trend towards so called natural swimming pools or ponds (NSP), where no chemicals or devices are used to disinfect or sterilize the water. Clarifying and cleaning is instead achieved purely with through biological filters and plants, just as in a lake.
Natural swimming pools are usually divided into two sections
- One part is the part used for swimming and frolicing around.
- The second part is used for Biological processes that help keep the water clean. Most NSP’s use a design where the regeneration zone consists of a lined overflow pool filled with specific filtration substrate. Just as in a lake, this substrate can be sand, gravel, lava stone or similar. The area designed to help clean the water often contain plants and can be made to look like a beautiful water garden.
The Great Bath of Moenjo-daro is one of the first swimming pools ever mentioned in text. Located in what is today Pakistan, Moenjo-daro was one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. It was most likely constructed during the 3rd millennium BC and was 12 meters long and 7 meters wide. It was built using brick walls covered in a sealent made from tar that kept the water in.
In the 4th century BC, a twin-pool known as Kuttam Pokuna was built by the ancient Sinhalese in the kingdom of Anuradhapura. These pools were made from granite slabs and steps were placed on both ends of the pools. Embankments were also constructed to give the monks easy access to the water. The water was filtered before it entered the ponds and was brought to Kuttam Pokuna through underground ducts and channels.
The ancient Greeks and Romans are among the most famous pool builders. They all used swimming pool for everything from fun and games to military training. The Spanish word for pool, piscina, can be traced back to Roman swimming pools where the emperors not only swam but also kept fish in them (pisces).
The first mention of a heated swimming pool is from the first century BC when the Roman lord Gaius Maecenas had one built. He was the confidant and political advisor of Rome’s first emperor and his name has become synonymous with a wealthy, generous and enlightened patron.
Tags: algae control, construction, garden, home, pool, pools, swimming pool