BioNova® Natural Pools is pleased to announce the successful completion of another LA CES approved webinar, Introduction to Natural Swimming Pools: Sustainable Design Principles and Biological Filtration (Course #101), held live this past Friday, October 16, 2026. 

The webinar was well attended with over 136 registrants which brought together landscape architects and design professionals. Attendees gained practical insights into how natural pools promote public health, environmental stewardship, and biodiversity, while offering clients a beautiful, resilient alternative to traditional chlorinated pools. The strong engagement and thoughtful questions throughout the webinar highlighted a growing interest in nature-based solutions within the landscape architecture community.

In addition, attendees were awarded 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) under the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System which also covered Heath, Safety, and Welfare (HSW).

If you missed our Introduction to Natural Swimming Pools: Sustainable Design Principles and Biological Filtration (Course #101) webinar, we will be offering more courses and will update you once the dates are set.

We will also be conducting more of our second course, NSP 201: Overview of Regeneration Zones, Plants, Hydraulics & Costs. 

NSP 201 provides a comprehensive introduction to the essential components that make natural swimming pools function efficiently and beautifully. This course explores the science and design principles behind regeneration zones, aquatic plant selection, hydraulic systems, and project cost considerations. Highly encouraged to take NSP 101 as a prerequisite. 

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding aquatic and marginal plant selection for water clarity and ecosystem balance
• Fundamentals of hydraulic design, including circulation and oxygenation principles
• How hydraulics impact overall system performance and water quality
• Key budgeting considerations for natural swimming pool projects
• Review of installation costs, maintenance requirements, and lifecycle value
• Foundational knowledge for discussing, designing, and estimating natural swimming pool projects

We thank everyone who joined us and helped make this course a success.

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

The post BioNova Weekly News – 10/23/2026 appeared first on BioNova®.

As temperatures begin to drop and swimming season comes to an end, one question we hear from natural pool owners is: “Do I need to winterize my natural pool?”

The answer is: yes, but not necessarily in the same way you would winterize a traditional swimming pool. Last newsletter we focus more on the specialize equipment pieces found in natural pools, here we’d like to take a moment to take more toward the biology.

A natural swimming pool is a living ecosystem, and preparing it for winter is more about protecting the system and allowing the biology to transition naturally than shutting everything down.

Let the Ecosystem Slow Down Naturally

As water temperatures decrease, biological activity in a natural pool naturally slows. Beneficial microorganisms become less active, plants begin to go dormant, and the overall ecosystem requires less energy.

There is no need to try to force the pool into a particular condition before winter. Instead, the goal is to make sure the system is clean, functioning properly, and prepared for freezing temperatures.

Remove Leaves and Organic Debris

I know we’ve discussed this, but one of the most important fall maintenance tasks is keeping leaves and other organic material out of the pool.

Leaves that remain in the water eventually break down and release nutrients into the system. Removing them regularly helps minimize unnecessary nutrient loading and makes the transition into winter easier for the ecosystem.

As fall progresses, regular skimming and removal of accumulated debris should be part of your normal maintenance routine.

Check Your Equipment

Before freezing temperatures arrive, inspect the components that keep your natural pool operating.

Check pumps, plumbing, skimmers, valves, filter components, and other equipment for proper operation. If your particular system requires equipment to be shut down or protected during freezing weather, those steps should be completed before temperatures drop below freezing.

The exact winterization procedure can vary depending on the design of the natural pool, climate, circulation system, and equipment configuration.

What About the Biofilter?

The biological filtration system doesn’t simply stop being important because swimming season is over.

As temperatures fall, the microorganisms within the biofilter become less active, but the biological system is still part of the pool’s ecosystem. Rather than trying to chemically clean or sterilize the system before winter, allow the biofilter to transition naturally with the changing seasons.

This is one of the fundamental differences between a natural swimming pool and a conventional chemically treated pool: the goal is to maintain a healthy ecosystem, not eliminate the biology.

Don’t Overdo It

Fall maintenance is important, but there’s also a danger in doing too much.

You don’t need to aggressively scrub every surface, remove healthy biofilm, or make unnecessary changes simply because the pool looks different as the seasons change. A natural pool is designed to work with seasonal biological changes. Think of fall maintenance as preparation rather than intervention.

Remove excess debris, inspect your equipment, address anything that genuinely needs attention, and then allow the ecosystem to slow down naturally.

Preparing for a Better Spring

A little attention in the fall can make the transition into spring much easier.

By keeping leaves and organic debris under control, making sure equipment is ready for winter, and allowing the biological system to follow its natural seasonal cycle, you’re setting the stage for a healthy restart when warmer temperatures return.

Winterizing a natural pool isn’t about shutting nature down. It’s about protecting the system while giving nature time to rest. And when spring arrives, your natural pool will be ready to begin its next seasonal cycle.

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

The post BioNova Weekly News – 10/9/2026 appeared first on BioNova®.

This is also a good time to inspect steps, coping, stonework, skimmers, pumps, and other components for anything that may need attention before winter.

Remember that some biological activity is completely normal. Don’t mistake a healthy biofilm or natural biological growth for something that needs to be scrubbed away.

Don’t Forget the Biofilter

Your biological filtration system continues to play an important role even as temperatures fall.

Avoid the temptation to completely clean or disturb the biological filter simply because you’re preparing for winter. The microorganisms living within the biofilter are an essential part of your natural pool’s filtration system.

Follow your BioNova® system’s recommended seasonal maintenance procedures, including any necessary backwashing or inspection, before temperatures become too cold.

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

The post BioNova Weekly News – 9/25/2026 appeared first on BioNova®.

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

The post BioNova Weekly News – 9/18/2026 appeared first on BioNova®.

• Removes suspended particles and fine debris
• Helps polish the water and improve clarity
• Captures some algae and organic particles
• Can reduce the load reaching the biological filtration system
• Provides a convenient way to backwash and remove accumulated solids

In a BioNova® natural pool, you can think of it as a polishing/mechanical filter rather than the engine of the ecosystem.

What it does not do

A sand filter does not replace a properly sized BF4 biofilm filter or regeneration/biological zone. The important biological work, processing dissolved nutrients and organic compounds and supporting the microbial community, happens primarily in the biological filtration system.

A sand filter can actually become biologically active over time because microorganisms colonize the sand, but that’s different from having a purpose-designed biological filter.

One caution: don’t make the sand filter so aggressive or maintain it in a way that unnecessarily strips the biological system of beneficial organisms. In a natural pool, you generally want to remove excess solids while allowing the biological ecosystem to establish and function.

Used together and properly sized, mechanical and biological filtration can complement each other and provide a clear, healthy, and naturally balanced swimming environment.

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

The post BioNova Weekly News – 9/4/2026 appeared first on BioNova®.

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…

Celebrate Independence from Chlorine This Fourth of July

250 years ago the founding fathers didn’t have chlorine and you don’t need it either. For many families, the Fourth of July means backyard barbecues, pool parties, fireworks, and making memories with friends and family. But for many traditional pool owners, the holiday weekend starts with something a little less exciting, testing water, adding chemicals, balancing pH, shocking the pool, and making one last trip to the pool store.

Natural pool owners have a different kind of Independence Day.

Instead of spending the morning measuring chlorine levels and worrying about whether the water is ready for guests, they’re setting out lawn chairs, filling coolers with ice, firing up the grill, and getting ready to enjoy the weekend. Their pool is being maintained by something much more remarkable than a collection of chemical bottles, a living biological filtration system.

Inside every BioNova Natural Pool, billions of beneficial microorganisms are continuously at work. These naturally occurring microbes colonize the biofilm filter, where they break down organic matter and help keep the water clean and clear without relying on chlorine or other harsh chemicals. And during the warm days of midsummer, this biological ecosystem is operating at peak performance.

That means the hottest part of the summer is often when a natural pool looks its best. Warm temperatures encourage healthy biological activity, creating exceptionally clear, inviting water while maintaining a balanced aquatic ecosystem.

Of course, every pool benefits from a little attention. Skimming leaves, emptying skimmer baskets, and performing routine equipment checks are all part of good pool care. But instead of constantly adjusting water chemistry, natural pool owners can spend more of their holiday doing what pools are meant for, swimming, relaxing, and enjoying time with the people who matter most.

This Fourth of July, celebrate more than our nation’s independence. Celebrate the freedom that comes from leaving behind weekly chemical routines and embracing a healthier, more natural way to swim.

From all of us at BioNova® Natural Pools, we wish you a safe, relaxing, and unforgettable Independence Day. Happy Fourth of July!

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

The post BioNova Weekly News – 7/3/2026 appeared first on BioNova®.

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…

Summer Is When Nature Does Its Best Work
As the summer sun heats up, most traditional pool owners know what comes next, more chlorine, more testing, more chemicals, and more maintenance. High temperatures can accelerate algae growth, burn off chlorine, and make keeping the water balanced feel like a full-time job.

For a properly designed natural swimming pool, however, summer tells a very different story. Warm weather is when the biological ecosystem reaches peak performance.

Just as gardens flourish and forests come alive during the summer months, the beneficial microorganisms that keep a natural pool clean become more active as water temperatures rise. These microscopic helpers form healthy biofilms within the biological filtration system, where they continuously break down organic matter and naturally remove nutrients that would otherwise feed algae.

Instead of relying on chemicals to sanitize the water, a natural pool harnesses biology to create a stable, self-sustaining ecosystem. The result is exceptionally clear water that remains inviting throughout the swimming season.

The biological filter works around the clock, quietly supporting millions of beneficial microorganisms that do the hard work naturally. As long as the system is properly designed and maintained, these organisms become increasingly efficient during the warmest months of the year. That’s one of the reasons many natural pool owners notice their water looking its absolute best in midsummer.

Of course, every pool benefits from routine care. Removing leaves and debris before they decompose, maintaining proper circulation, and vacuuming the walls and floors all help support a healthy biological balance. But unlike traditional pools, the goal isn’t to constantly adjust chemistry, it’s to maintain an ecosystem that’s already working for you.

Summer is also when the benefits of a natural swimming pool are most appreciated. Families can enjoy crystal-clear water without the strong smell of chlorine, burning eyes, dry skin, or faded swimsuits. Instead of spending weekends measuring chemicals and chasing water balance, they’re spending time making memories.

Nature has spent millions of years perfecting biological filtration. At BioNova® Natural Pools, we’ve simply learned how to bring those same natural processes into your backyard.

So while the temperatures rise this summer, remember that your natural pool isn’t fighting the heat, it’s thriving in it. The warm weather helps power the living ecosystem that keeps your water clean, clear, and ready for another day of swimming.

That’s the beauty of letting nature do what it does best.

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.

uestions, 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

The post BioNova Weekly News – 6/26/2026 appeared first on BioNova®.

One of the most rewarding parts of building a natural swimming pool is seeing how it performs years after completion. Recently, we had the opportunity to check in on a BioNova® Natural Pool that was completed almost two years ago, and the results were impressive.

This project in Haddonfield, NJ, which is just 10 miles outside of Philadelphia, was designed closely with the home owner to build a pool that is natural in shape and form and matches and blends well with the existing landscaping. The pool is design to be a 21’x42’ freeform pool with a surface area of approximately 806 square feet. The shallow end is 4 feet deep and the deep end is 6 feet.

The pool is filtered with a 18 tube BF4. Part of the client’s request was to have a curved BF4 vault that followed the contours of the pool so a curved vault was built off the deep end and feed water through two SkimmerKlappes.

The water remains crystal clear, the biological filtration system is performing exactly as designed, and the pool continues to provide a beautiful, chemical-free swimming experience. Even into its second full season of use, the ecosystem has matured beautifully, requiring only routine maintenance while delivering exceptional water quality.

Most importantly, the homeowners couldn’t be happier. They continue to enjoy swimming in naturally filtered water and appreciate how seamlessly the pool blends into their landscape. Their enthusiasm serves as a great reminder that natural pools aren’t just a sustainable alternative to traditional pools, they’re a long-term investment in healthier, more enjoyable outdoor living.

Seeing a project thrive years after installation is a testament to the effectiveness of natural pool design and the lasting value it brings to homeowners.

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

The post BioNova Weekly News – 6/19/2026 appeared first on BioNova®.

We’re excited to share a new update on the NSP project in Catonsville, MD. Since our last announcement, several key aspects of the project have evolved.

As a refresher, this project will be a rectilinear pool measuring 47 feet by 9 feet designed for lap swimming. It will also have a planted wetlands area measuring 27 feet by 3.5 feet. The pool will have a swimming area of 417 square feet and the pond area will be 95 square feet. The pool will be filtered with a 12 tube BF4, set in the corner of the pool.

Since our last update separation gravel has been added to both the BF4 vault and the the wetlands area. The hardscape around the pool has also begun to go down and looks great. They past week we were on site to install the two pumps and sand filter and complete the final plumbing connections. Once electrical connections are made to the equipment, this pool will be ready for water and startup. 

As always, we look forward to updating you on this project as it progresses.

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

The post BioNova Weekly News 6/5/2026 appeared first on BioNova®.

BioNova® Natural Pools is pleased to announce the successful completion of another LA CES approved webinar, Introduction to Natural Swimming Pools: Sustainable Design Principles and Biological Filtration (Course #101), held live this past Thursday, May 28, 2026. 

The webinar was well attended with over 88 registrants which brought together landscape architects and design professionals. Attendees gained practical insights into how natural pools promote public health, environmental stewardship, and biodiversity, while offering clients a beautiful, resilient alternative to traditional chlorinated pools. The strong engagement and thoughtful questions throughout the webinar highlighted a growing interest in nature-based solutions within the landscape architecture community.

In addition, attendees were awarded 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) under the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System which also covered Heath, Safety, and Welfare (HSW).

If you missed our Introduction to Natural Swimming Pools: Sustainable Design Principles and Biological Filtration (Course #101) webinar, we will be offering more courses and will update you once the dates are set.

We will also be conducting more of our second course, NSP 201: Overview of Regeneration Zones, Plants, Hydraulics & Costs. 

NSP 201 provides a comprehensive introduction to the essential components that make natural swimming pools function efficiently and beautifully. This course explores the science and design principles behind regeneration zones, aquatic plant selection, hydraulic systems, and project cost considerations. Highly encouraged to take NSP 101 as a prerequisite. 

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding aquatic and marginal plant selection for water clarity and ecosystem balance
• Fundamentals of hydraulic design, including circulation and oxygenation principles
• How hydraulics impact overall system performance and water quality
• Key budgeting considerations for natural swimming pool projects
• Review of installation costs, maintenance requirements, and lifecycle value
• Foundational knowledge for discussing, designing, and estimating natural swimming pool projects

We thank everyone who joined us and helped make this course a success.

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

The post BioNova Weekly News – 5/29/2026 appeared first on BioNova®.