To build a natural swimming pool is obviously something that most people won’t do. Countries have millions of people. So even if only a tiny percentage have a pool, that’s still thousands of pools that could be containing polluting chlorine and harming wildlife. If you have a conventional pool, ask your pool maintenance company about more eco- ways to clean your pool, they do exist. Also keep the pools covered when not in use, to reduce evaporation and prevent drowning.
Natural swimming pools are just that. They are like clean lakes, with various plants to filter the water, so you don’t need to dump chlorine in it. Obviously this will attract wildlife, so don’t do this if you are going to have the frights, if you come across a grass snake.
How to Build a Natural Swimming Pool is a book on how to build a wide range of pools from simple swimming ponds to plant regeneration areas that look like traditional pools. Learn how to use plants to keep water clean and limit growth of algae.
Blue-green algae is particularly toxic to pets. See make gardens safe for pets (including toxic plants to avoid near animal friends). Like ponds, ensure pools have sloping sides, for wildlife to get in/out.
Keep Wildlife Safe Near Swimming Pools
Frog Log and Critter Skimmer (get both, they do different things) are good little inventions to order from over the pond. Both can help prevent small critters drowning in the pool (one is like a float they can use to get out, the others stops them getting trapped in skimmers). You may need more than one of each, depending on the size of your pool.
Keeping Dogs Safe Near Swimming Pools
If you have dogs using pools, Doggy Docks are platforms that are easier for dogs to use than ladders, to get in and out of pools safely. You can also use them for boat platforms.
If are wild swimming with dogs, Doggy Docks are safer and easier to use than ladders (can also be used for boats). And to help garden critters, Frog Log (which gives an escape route) and Critter Skimmer (which prevents them falling in the skimmer) both do a good job – get both, as they do different jobs.
