There has been a fantastic response to Natural Swimming Pools in South Africa. There have been more than 10 articles in Garden and Design magazines which we are in the process of loading onto the site. Recently we were on the prime time television show Pasella which helped to bring the message to South Africans that Eco Pools are the way forward. For those of you who can read Afrikaans, please click on the following link:
http://www.pasella.com/artikels/BLOU-Groen-is-die-nuwe-blou-vir-swembaddens.html?articleID=77
We have just won a prestigious international award in the USA with the American Society of Landscape Architects. Please go to the URL below and scroll down to Honour Award: Bridle Road Residence:
http://www.asla.org/2010awards/250.html
Owners’ Testimonials
“When we first started out with this project, we knew more about what we didn’t want than what we wanted. We knew we didn’t want a blue sterile pool and we didn’t want chemicals in our garden.
What we ended up with is far more than we anticipated. The process of building the pool was an entirely enjoyable process. We now not only have a clear, fresh water pool to swim in but an amazing sanctuary in the garden. A truly living system where beautiful plants grow, animals and birds visit and dragon flies have made the pool their home. The pool maintenance is a pleasure, where our young kids get involved in “weeding” the pool. The pool has all the aspects of nurturing, caring for and protecting a truly unique system. Thanks Jerome.”
Lauren and James Norval, Knysna.
“It was Bob’s birthday last Saturday night. Everybody was drinking champaigne. Bob drank nothing water from the new Eco Pool. Every time his glass was empty, he would refill it from the pool. Needless to say, Bob felt a lot better than the rest of us the next morning.”
Ruth Mesarcik, Constantia.
“I had an old concrete and fiberglass pool that I was fed up with. It leaked, it needed huge amounts of chemicals which were seeping into the garden, I hated the feeling of pouring money and chemicals away endlessly. Because of the chemicals I really didn’t enjoy swimming that much anyway. The pool was always dirty and so I never used it. My original plan was to fill it in, and then I met Jerome. Now I absolutely adore my pool. I swim all the time. I don’t have to add chemicals, it no longer leaks and it is a constant source of fascination to me. I absolutely love my natural pool. The first thing I do every morning is go to see what new life has appeared overnight; a new flower, a dragon fly, a frog, a crab, even a turtle once. In summer I swim every day to keep my hair soft. I have stopped using conditioners. Unfortunately I am moving away soon out of town and I am heartbroken to leave the pool. But as soon as I have settled in to my new place, the first thing I will do is ask Aqua Design to come and put in a new Eco Pool. ”
Helen Altman, Hout bay.
“I wouldn’t swim in anything less.”
Kitty Cooper, Greenpoint.
“We have had the pond/pool for almost 5 years now. It was a rectangular swimming pool which Jerome converted into a fresh water pond. It is on aQua Design web page – called Tarragona Estates.
We have had no problems with the pool itself – the only problem was with an existing rock over which we wanted the water to flow – and the water kept seeping away. The pool never has algae and is clear all the time. We do have a lot of plants – and that does help prevent algae. The pool very much does it’s own thing – winter and summer, and only when the wind has been howling – that I need to clear the leaves out. – but I do check the filter box every other day, and clean the filters about every 4 to 6 weeks.
The quality of the water is amazing and eyes and body feel great after a dip. No problems at all.
I would only really caution people about what plants the put in as some of them do take over – which requires extra weeding – therefore work – but Jerome should be able to advise you on that.
I would highly recommend a natural pool to everybody and aQua design have been amazing with the installation (conversion) and maintenance. I certainly recommend them.”
Nana Staelblom, Taragona Estates