Swimming ponds -- long popular in Europe -- are starting to pop up in American backyards, The New York Times reported earlier this year. These natural pools combine swimming areas and water gardens.

Mick Hilleary, owner of Total Habitat in Bonner Springs, Kan., is one of the contractors creating swimming ponds. He wrote a book on the subject and has created the Natural Swimming Pool Association.

Hilleary’s most popular pool design separates the swimming area from the planted, biological filtration area. A waterfall is used to aerate the pond and provide ambiance. A skimmer collects large debris and a UV sterilizer cleanses the water.

According to Total Habitat’s Web site, the cost of building a swimming pond is comparable to a traditional pool. Ongoing maintenance of a pond is less, though, since homeowners don’t have to spring for an arsenal of pool chemicals.

 

For more: Total Habitat, (316) 644-5848; www.totalhabitat.com.

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