Hi,
Anyone out there had experience of building an eco pool / natural swimming pool? Having got a bit frustrated trying to have a decent swim in a big tin bath full of chlorine, we fancy building something along the lines of that shown in David Pagan-Butler's DVD, and would be very interested to hear of other people's experiences with this type of pool/pond in Portugal.
In particular -
- Did you go for liner or reinforced concrete?
- Suppliers of EPDM liners that will deliver to central Portugal
- Names of any plants that you have had success with in this type of pool and suppliers of same
- Has the concept worked for you?
- If you have built such a pool, could we come and have a look?
We have already looked at Robert Conway's excellent example near Figueiro dos Vinhos, but are keen to get as much input as possible before biting the bullet.....
Thanks
Graham

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Before it's too late.........

Tried to convince Lynda to go for one with no success, liners are easily available across Portugal but you still need planning permission but can also go down route of a water reservoir rather than pool which can be refused, good luck

Our relatives have turned a stone irrigation tank into a pool using multiple layers of silicone paint, which is refreshed a couple of times per year.

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Moving to Portugal Blog

Hi there,

i have found over the last 8 years of living here that the best person to speak to about these type of pools is a lady living in the Beiras region .
here are her details:

http://quintacabecadomato.blogspot.pt/

her name is Caryn. and i have told her you may be in touch,

details and photos,videos of their eco-pool:
http://quintacabecadomato.blogspot.pt/2 ... ogica.html

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Stephen Douglas McKay
Eco-Dao Tree Surgery
(Member of The International Forum on Forests )
Member of Civil Protection Forest Fires Service

Thanks for all the replies so far. Our local Camara is pretty reasonable - they say if you call it a pond, it doesn't need planning permission...
We will certainly be getting in touch with Caryn up near Tabua and will go and take a look at her bio pool.
If anyone has spotted any other Natural Swimming Pools in Central Portugal, we would be glad to hear about them.
Thanks
Graham

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Before it's too late.........

hi due&grahamellis -

did you build an eco pool? do you definitely not need permission from the figueiro dos vines council?

cheers!

Hi SaoSimao,
Yes, we have gone ahead with building the pool. Started last October, and now probably 75% complete. The liner is in, and we are now working on the wall to the swimming area and the filtration system. It is quite large, about 200 sq metres, and is a lot of work, but should be worth it when finished. I have let sleeping dogs lie as far as planning permission is concerned, taking the view that it is just a garden pond really........
You are welcome to come and take a look if you are interested.
Cheers
Graham

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Before it's too late.........

Hi Graham!

Thanks ever so much for getting back to me.

Exciting stuff! I'm very interested in getting an eco / freshwater pool and I will be coming over end of August.

I understand that a big space is needed; I was told that i'd need 15m2 x 10m2 to get a pool that is 7m x 4m. The approx' price I was given was €125-150 per square metre.

Is the basic construction concrete with a lining and non-electric filter-system?

The idea of an eco pool appeals and I have read that the local council wouldn't need to approve one, as it's seen as a pool and not a construction. I'd need to contact Figueiro council for anything i'd consider having.

Look for forward to your reply.

Cheers!

Hello again,
Yes, you should have at least as much planted area as swimming area. Our pool is about 20m by 10m overall, with a swimming area 14m by 3m. We have mostly followed David Pagan-Butler's design, but are using blocks rather than filled sandbags for the swimming area walls.. Take a look at this link:-
www.organicpools.co.uk/DIY%20Natural%20 ... ersion.pdf
By doing nearly all the work ourselves, but obviously hiring in a digger and driver, I reckon the overall cost will work out at about 9,000 Euros, or 45 per square metre.
Not a trivial task by any means, but a great winter project if you have the time!
Cheers
Graham

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Before it's too late.........

This sounds like fun. I have, on my Quinta, a pond/small lake; 32m x 17m x 7m deep. It is filled by it's own spring; from the bottom of the lake and the over flow from the House spring. I had intended to stock it with fish for food. Can one do so and still have a natural swimming pool? Thanks.