What do you need to know to build your own natural or ecological swimming pool? 

The location of your project.

Your first consideration must be your location. This is the place where you want to build the pool. 

You have the option to:

• Buy a ready-made pool, of any size or shape, or 
• Build your own pool. 

The type of pool you build will depend on the space you have available as well as the amount of money you are willing to spend. 

You need to calculate the amount of water you will need, the size and shape of your pool, the slope of the site, and other conditions.

What materials are needed?

Once you know the factors necessary for building the pool, you now need to know what materials you will use for construction. 

Several options are available to you, including buying new materials or using recycled materials to save money. 

Recycled materials include wood, concrete, asphalt shingles, roof tiles, liners, bricks, tiles, and stones. All these materials can be used in your pool or you can mix and match them. Just make sure they are suitable for the intended use of your pool.

The layout.

Once you have decided on the materials you are going to use, you must now plan the layout. This is very important to ensure that the pool will be built the way you want it to be. 

Even if you plan to build your pool in a different location, you still need to plan your layout using the same principles. For example, if your pool is supposed to cover the entire area, you need to plan its length, width, and shape. 

You should also take note of any underground water sources that could cause water pollution, and ensure you have drains for rainwater and drainage.

Digging the area to be built.

Now that you have everything planned, you can start digging the area where you want to build your natural pool. 

If you plan to build a deck around the pool, this step must be first.

Keep in mind that a deck only becomes a problem if you build a pool that is too small. If you build a pool that is too large, it may compromise the flora and fauna living in the area.

After digging the foundation, you need to dig about two feet into the ground. This will provide enough space for the pool liner to be below the ground. Keep in mind that you will also need a sufficient slope so that water does not flow into the area. If the soil is hard, you may need to hire a contractor to lay a concrete slab. This should only take about two days and the prices can be reasonable.

Clear the area of weeds.

When you have finished digging, you will need to remove all the grass. This is because most natural pools do not have grass. You should also get rid of any stones that might be under the liner. If you don’t remove these objects, they can create puncture problems later on. If you have plastic plants in the area, you will also need to remove them before placing the liner.

Installing the liner.

Once you have done all of that, you can move on to the serious stuff: installing the liner. There are a few points to consider during this operation. 

If you are using a steel liner, you must ensure that you have drilled every hole to facilitate the installation. You must also ensure that the outlet pipes are properly connected inside the pool. Be sure to align your outlets correctly, otherwise, you will have a nasty surprise.

Liners and pipes can be purchased at almost any pool or hardware store. There are also DIY kits and books. 

The best advice I can give to anyone who wants to learn how to build their own natural or biological pool is to buy a natural liner and a pump yourself. 

Save yourself the hassle and money and buy a good liner from the start. This is the only way to fully enjoy your natural pool for years to come.