Dear friends,
We would love to hear about your current BioNova® projects. Please send Ryan, ryan@bionovanaturalpools.com, any information and pictures of your projects and we will gladly put them in the newsletter to share with all of the dealers. Thank you and we hope to see your inputs soon!
Here’s what’s happening at BioNova® Natural Pools North America…
Are Natural Swimming Pools Safer Than Chlorinated Pools?
As eco-conscious homeowners seek alternatives to chemical-laden backyard pools, natural swimming pools (NSPs) have emerged as a popular, environmentally friendly choice. But we continue to get many questions about their safety, especially compared to traditional, chlorinated pools. This discussion explores the health, hygiene, and maintenance aspects of both pool types to determine which is truly safer in the long run.
1. Water Quality and Sanitation
Chlorinated Pools: Chlorine is effective, but at a cost. It kills bacteria and viruses, but it also reacts with organic matter in the water (like sweat or skin oils) to create disinfection byproducts (DBPs). These include chloramines and trihalomethanes (THMs), which have been linked to respiratory issues, skin and eye irritation, and even potential long-term health risks like bladder cancer with prolonged exposure.
Natural pools: Use no synthetic chemicals. Instead, they rely on aquatic plants, beneficial bacteria, and biological filtration to clean the water. This makes the swimming experience gentler on the body—especially for children, people with sensitive skin, asthma, or allergies.
Advantage NSP: Safer for your skin, eyes, lungs, and overall health—without trading cleanliness for chemicals.
2. A Healthier Microbiome, Not a Sterile Environment
Traditional pools aim to kill all microorganisms. But not all bacteria are bad, many are essential to ecological balance. Over-sanitizing can disrupt beneficial microbes and even lead to chemical-resistant pathogens over time.
Natural pools work with nature, not against it. The bio-filtration process fosters a healthy microbial ecosystem, where beneficial bacteria help keep harmful microbes in check. It’s a more balanced, holistic approach to hygiene.
Advantage NSP: Supports a naturally self-regulating environment that promotes long-term water health.
3. Better for the Environment = Better for Everyone
Chlorinated water must be disposed of carefully, as it can harm soil and aquatic life. Traditional pools also require constant inputs of chemicals, energy for filtration, and frequent water changes.
Natural pools are eco-sustainable by design. They recycle their own water through natural filtration, require less energy, and support local biodiversity by integrating aquatic plants and even pollinator-friendly habitats.
Advantage NSP: Environmentally safer, which indirectly benefits human health and future generations.
4. Long-Term Exposure: Less Is More
While chlorine is generally safe at controlled levels, repeated exposure over months or years can have cumulative effects. Competitive swimmers and pool workers often report chronic eye irritation, respiratory issues, and even changes in skin condition.
With natural pools, there’s no chemical exposure to accumulate over time. This makes them especially appealing to health-conscious families and individuals who want to reduce their chemical load in daily life.
Advantage NSP: Zero long-term chemical exposure.
Conclusion: While chemical pools remain the standard in public and high-traffic settings due to their predictability and strict sanitation protocols, natural pools offer a safer experience in many key ways:
- No exposure to harsh chemicals or toxic byproducts
- Reduced health risks for sensitive individuals
- Elimination of chemical accidents and overexposure
- Eco-friendly systems that benefit the environment
- A gentler, more natural swimming experience
Natural pools don’t just replicate nature, they restore a safer relationship with it. When designed and maintained properly, they can provide all the cleanliness of a traditional pool without the downsides of chemical treatment.
In short: Natural pools don’t just feel safer, they are safer, in all the ways that matter to your health, your home, and the world around you.
Stay Safe and Healthy.
We hope you all continue to stay healthy during these trying times and wish all of our BioNova® Dealers our best to you and your families.
Questions, Concerns, Thoughts
As always, we encourage you to contact us and share your thoughts, questions, and concerns with BioNova®. We are available to assist you in any way we can. Feel free to email me directly with photos, project updates, testimonials, etc., and we’ll include them in an upcoming Newsletter.
Respectfully,
Ryan Harmer
BioNova® Natural Pools
ryan@bionovanaturalpools.com
609-318-4707
