Lindy van Hasselt
PRINCE ALBERT DIY NATURAL POOL
- Swim zone
- 5 × 5 m25 m² (269 ft²)
- Wetland
- 5 × 3 m15 m² (161 ft²)
- Depth
- 1.9 m6 ft 3 in
- Location
- Prince AlbertThe Karoo, South Africa
- Climate
- Warm temperate
- Power
- Off gridSolar
I had always loved the living pool concept and was so pleased when my brother installed one in Prince Albert. It required two huge pumps and a lot of maintenance, and when I saw how he struggled I had second thoughts about building one.
Then when we planned our house build in Prince Albert I discovered DIY Natural Pool Academy and started following their social media. I was hooked.
If you are thinking of building a living pool, Andy is your man. Leaf & Stone are responsive, professional, knowledgeable and most importantly their pools WORK.
No chlorine on a rewilded farm
Our house is on a small holding in Prince Albert in the Karoo. We are rewilding the property and irrigate with water from the mountain. We use no chemicals or pesticides and it was just not an option to put salty, chlorine-filled water into the environment.
We took the plunge and contracted Andy to design us a small pool that our builders would install. It was the first living pool they had built and they loved learning about the process. Our plumber in particular took on the process with enthusiasm.
Local builders, remote guidance
We brought in experts to gunite it but other than that we used local builders. We ordered the gravel, biochar etc and filled the wetland beds ourselves. The plants we brought up from Cape Town and we did the planting as per Andy's instructions.
He assisted us remotely every step of the way. Where to get the pumps, which plants to buy, who the suppliers were, how to plant the water lilies in pots with clay and compost and how to get the water balance right.
It was a hugely exciting project and once complete we sat back and waited and watched. And it all worked! And the plants grew! And the system functioned. Within days we had a glorious frog chorus going.
Like swimming in a mountain stream
Within a few months we were swimming among water lilies and reeds in this gorgeous pool. The water is crystal clear and it feels like you are swimming in a mountain stream. We added a few fish once the plants had started to grow. They are thriving and hoover the walls. Dragonflies skim across the surface and we have seen three species of kingfisher eyeing out the pool.
We backwash into a small wetland dam, no chemicals, no chlorine. We are totally off the grid and run the small pump 18 hours a day, and the large pump a few hours a week when we hoover or backwash or just give the filtering a boost.
The plant growth is so vigorous we have had to thin and cut back twice in the year it has been going. It is an absolute joy.
The best investment of the build
Working with Andy has been wonderful. He has guided us through the process step by step. We test the water every few months, send him the results and he tells us what we need to do or add to keep the water balanced.
I love wading around in the wetland area, taking out old leaves, pruning and cleaning. We swim multiple times a day. The Karoo is HOT in summer, and because of the depth, 1.9 m, the pool is always cool.
It's the best investment we made during the build. Worth the time, effort and expense, multiple times over. Go for it is my advice.
Designed here, built in the Karoo
I drew this pool for Lindy's builders, who had never built a living pool before. The drawings set out the wetland cells and the filtration, so her team could build from them and I could guide the rest remotely.
Curious what is possible on your own site?
Start with a plan set drawn for your size of pool, or book a session with me if your site needs a closer look.
