Natural Pools vs. Chlorine Pools: Why Living Water Matters

When most people think of a swimming pool, they imagine concrete walls, the sting of chlorine, and endless maintenance routines. But there’s another way. At Flo Gardens, we create natural pools that replicate the balance of freshwater ecosystems — what we call Living Water. These pools aren’t just places to swim; they’re sanctuaries for people, wildlife, and the land itself.

Living Water vs. Sterile Water

A natural pool functions like a rainforest stream. Plants, pebbles, and beneficial microorganisms form a biofilm that acts as a living filter, breaking down organic material and binding nutrients. This process prevents algae blooms and keeps the water clear. Similar natural treatment systems are used in ecological wastewater recycling worldwide (UNESCO, 2018).

By contrast, concrete and chlorine pools rely on toxic chemicals to sterilise water. Chlorine kills all microbial life — both harmful and beneficial — and reacts with organic matter to create disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THMs). According to the World Health Organization, long-term exposure to THMs has been linked to increased cancer risks.

Water Quality and Health

The water in a natural pool is soft and refreshing because it contains dissolved minerals rather than chlorine or salts. Research shows that exposure to clean, natural water and green-blue spaces lowers cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) and improves mental wellbeing (European Centre for Environment & Human Health, 2021). Immersing yourself in such water can reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, boost mood, and strengthen the immune system.

Swimming in chlorinated pools, however, can come with hidden health costs. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives (2007) found that regular exposure to chlorine byproducts is associated with increased risk of bladder cancer. Other studies link chlorinated water to asthma and respiratory problems, particularly in children and athletes (Bernard et al., 2006). Instead of rejuvenating, chemical pools can quietly wear down wellbeing over time.

Maintenance Made Simple

Natural pools are largely self-sustaining. Plants and microbes recycle nutrients, stabilising the system much like a wetland. This means the pool effectively “cleans itself,” with minimal intervention required beyond occasionally clearing leaves from the intake bay.

Chlorine pools, on the other hand, demand constant chemical and manual management. pH levels need frequent testing, chlorine levels must be topped up, and water is often lost to evaporation or backwashing. This cycle generates ongoing costs and chemical waste.

Environmental Impact

Natural pools give back to the land. They hold freshwater in the soil, recharge groundwater, and provide habitat for species such as freshwater shrimp, frogs, and aquatic plants — many of which are under pressure from habitat loss (IUCN Red List, 2022). They also act as carbon sinks: aquatic plants absorb and store CO₂ through photosynthesis, a small but meaningful contribution to climate resilience.

Chlorine pools have the opposite effect. Chlorinated runoff is harmful to soil microbes, plants, and aquatic life if released into natural waterways. On a global scale, the materials used to build them are also a major problem: cement and steel together account for more than 10% of total CO₂ emissions (International Energy Agency, 2022). Add in adhesives and grouts, which release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that degrade air quality, and the footprint of a concrete pool is heavy from day one.

Construction Footprint

A natural pool uses around 95% natural materials and avoids concrete, steel, or tiles. The installation process is straightforward, quick, and minimally disruptive, blending into the landscape and restoring ecological function to your property.

Concrete pools, by contrast, require large amounts of cement, steel reinforcement, and synthetic finishes. Their construction is lengthy, expensive, and legally complex, with council permits almost always required. Before the first swimmer even dives in, their environmental impact is already significant.

A Different Kind of Pool

At Flo Gardens, we don’t just build pools — we restore the relationship between people and water. Natural pools are healthier for your body, lighter on the environment, and more beautiful than any concrete pool could ever be.

Step into Living Water. Experience the difference.

Scientific References (for further reading):

·       World Health Organization (2011). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality – Chlorination and disinfection byproducts.

·       Bernard, A. et al. (2006). Chlorinated Pool Attendance, Atopy, and the Risk of Asthma during Childhood. Environmental Health Perspectives.

·       International Energy Agency (2022). Cement and Steel Production and CO₂ Emissions.

·       European Centre for Environment & Human Health (2021). Blue Health Project – Benefits of Blue Spaces.

·       IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2022). Freshwater Biodiversity Status.

·       UNESCO (2018). Nature-Based Solutions for Water.