Are you missing landscape design opportunities due to your lack of knowledge about  Natural Swimming Pools (NSPs)?

Become a member of ASPNSP and be a more knowledgeable resource for your clients.

Natural Swimming Pools are poised for significant growth in the coming years and it is evident that the Landscape and  Garden industry is in the best position to capture this growing portion of the recreational swimming pool market due to  their involvement in the installation of natural waterscapes like garden ponds, streams, & waterfalls. The purpose of this  communication is to provide context of the opportunity and to foster growth of the ASPNSP membership from  Landscape professionals who should be looked upon as a credible resource to consumers interested in enjoying the  benefits of a Natural Swimming Pool.

The Association for Swimming Ponds and Natural Swimming Pools (ASPNSP) is incorporated as a non-profit  association to protect human health and safety in swimming ponds and natural swimming pools (collectively called  NSPs). ASPNSP is the industry resource for education, for homeowners to exchange ideas and to gain information, and  for the education and certification of designers and builders. The ASPNSP fosters regulatory compliance in the design,  permitting and constructing of NSPs and provides a conduit for public communication and advocacy.

At the core of ASPNSP is safety and to provide properly engineered solutions for construction of the vessel in a way that  is in full compliance with building codes for the plumbing, electrical and structural design (depths, slopes, entry and  egress) and compliance to the VGB act (to prevent bather entrapment). An ASPNSP member (designer/builder) will  provide knowledgeable NSP options for someone seeking a totally natural, non-chemical method to design, construct  and maintain a natural swimming environment.

Swimming Ponds and Natural Swimming pools  

are a perfect water feature for the growing  

numbers of homeowners seeking a “green and  

clean” swimming environment. The “Green  

Movement” is bolstered by increasing confidence  

in the science confirming the many factors

contributing to, and resulting from, our changing  

climate. Awareness precedes all change, and the  

desire for change requires that responsible and  

educated decisions be made to minimize

environmental damage and promote a  

sustainable lifestyle.

The issues revolving around the importance of sustainability are a world-wide concern. In November of 2017 the United  Nations Development Program (UNDP) outlined the vision for the Strategic Plan, 2018-2021 to help countries achieve  sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations  for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shocks. At the core of the UNDP strategic plan are 17

Sustainable Development Goals that encompass Humanitarian, Education, Infrastructure, Climate, and Environment.  While this global initiative may seem daunting, the reality is that local awareness and individual accountability of  sustainable choices are becoming more of the social norm, not the exception. The Sustainable Development Goals  (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure  that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

With this global backdrop of social and environmental calls to action, the Millennial generation has been motivated to  make environmentally sustainable choices in order to be a more responsible steward of the world and its resources.  Empowered Millennials are creating social, environmental, and political inertia, with a major push toward  environmentally sustainable lifestyles.

Current examples of sustainable initiatives are evident in the increasing familiarity and adoption of Farm-to-Table food  procurement options promoted by local restaurants. Through increasing climate change dialogue, the general  population has a general understanding of the meaning of “Carbon footprint.” There is increasing participation in  Recycling, UP cycling, and composting to reduce waste and minimize the impact on our local landfills. Sustainable energy  options, like Solar, Wind, Geo-Thermal, Wave & Current, are gaining greater commercialization focused on minimizing our reliance on fossil fuel, the promotion of clean air and reduction of greenhouse gasses. The Pacific Ocean garbage  patch, is now estimated to be TWICE the size of Texas (over 600,000 sq miles), containing an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces (primarily plastic) weighing 88,000 tons. Plastic waste is under scrutiny and many coastal municipalities have passed  resolutions prohibiting the distribution of plastic bags, straws, and cups, that are finding their way into our oceans in  alarming amounts; and encouraging the use biodegradable options.

These are just a few examples of environmental abuses serving as the backdrop for the increasing awareness of the  importance of environmentally sustainability. Landscape Architects, Designers, and Contractors can be more proactive  in their services and recommendations by offering comprehensive, sustainable options to their local projects and clients  wanting to support these important initiatives. The motto “Think Global and Act Local” is more important than ever.

It is the desire of the ASPNSP to bring awareness to how natural swimming ponds and natural swimming pools fit into  the evolving landscape of this environmental and social awareness. In a recent survey of prospective natural swimming  pool owners when asked “What is your top reason for considering a Natural Swimming Pool?” over 68% of respondents indicated the top three reasons were, 1) Environmental sustainability, 2) Create a sustainable natural environment, or 3)  Access to a naturally purified waterscape.

Unfortunately, over 76% of the respondent felt they were unable to move forward with their project due to the lack of  suitable and knowledgeable contractors in their area OR they perceive that the cost of an NSP project is an obstacle.  Ironically, without professional guidance on realistic expectations of the cost of their project, they are just assuming that  NSPs are too expensive. These two obstacles to ownership can be minimized by encouraging those in the Landscape  Architecture and Design businesses to become more familiar with the numerous NSP design options that affect project  cost and NSP function. For instance, very recent developments in the design and installation methods of biofilm  reactors have significantly lowered NSP project costs by reducing the overall footprint of the swimming vessel and  regeneration area. Both misunderstandings can be addressed with education and awareness… the cornerstone of  ASPNSP’s mission statement.

The objective of ASPNSP is not to change how all swimming pools are constructed, treated, and maintained. The desire is to ensure that those prospective swimming pool owners who want a naturally sustainable option for swimming pool  maintenance understand that they have a resource to assist in answering their questions and improve their  understanding of “What is a Natural Swimming Pool (NSP)?”

What is a Natural Swimming Pool?

NSPs, whether they are called swimming ponds, swim ponds, natural swimming pools, natural pools, organic pools or  biological pools, are all based on the science of limnology and have four fundamental attributes.

1. The NSP is a contained vessel, i.e., the water in the NSP is contained and  

recirculated but there is no introduction of outside water such as from an  

underground spring, a stream or any other outside source, except for

makeup water to replenish any water lost from evaporation or splash out.

2. The swimming zone of the NSP is always separated in some fashion from  

the biological filter. This means that any aquatic planting will not be  

adversely affected by the physical presence of swimmers.

3. There are no chemicals or other devices, such as UV, ozone generators,  

ionizers or salt systems, used to disinfect or sterilize the pool water. All  

clarifying and purifying of the pool water is performed entirely by natural  

biological processes.

4. The NSP is designed, engineered, permitted and constructed in  

conformance with applicable guidelines for a swimming pool.

Natural Swimming Pool design helps increase the sustainability of the swimming pool industry at large, and ASPNSP  seeks to spread knowledge about this eco-friendly option.

Why Join and participate in the ASPNSP?

• Enhance your professionalism by being a member of the leading association representing the NSP industry  today.

• Proudly display the ASPNSP trademark in your advertising, on your website and on your business documents. • Reciprocal link from the ASPNSP.ORG website for Professional Members.

• Attend educational seminars on NSP design, construction and maintenance to advance your knowledge. • Share your experience with others in the industry and learn from hearing their experiences. • Demonstrate your dedication and commitment to the success of NSPs as a viable socially and environmentally  responsible choice.

• Interface thru ASPNSP to the IOB and the global family of professionals who are designing, building and  maintaining NSPs around the world.

For more information on joining our organization visit ASPNSP.org.

Submitted by

Allen W Schnaak

ASPNSP Professional Member and NSP advocate

aschnaak@bionovanaturalpools.com