John and Catherine Scott

Proposal for a Natural Swimming Pond

Brief

To create a natural swimming pond (approx. 30m x 20m) at Stoke House

Concept

A swimming pond is a self contained ecosystem in its own right that uses plants, gravel, water aeration and circulation to maintain water clarity.

The proposal is to create a swimming zone of 12m length by 6m wide and 2m deep. This will comprise approx one third of the entire pond. The rest of the pond will be used as the regeneration zone for a variety of aquatic plants (native species) to naturally filter and clean the pool to keep the water clear, and to create a pleasing aesthetic throughout the swimming season.

In line with the route from the house, the edge of the pond will require a wooden deck (approx. 4m by 3m, plus steps into the water) to allow easy access into the swimming zone and be an attractive space to sit on chairs and enjoy the view. This deck will sit above the regeneration zone on that side of the pond. There will also be a diving pontoon to the side, approx 4m x 1m, also with steps. Both the deck and the pontoon will serve the added purpose of hiding the skimmer (for cleaning the water surface) and the aeration pump (for oxygenating the water).

Outline Construction

In a nutshell, Eau Naturelle will help you create a sealed unit, to keep the naturally cleansed pond water in and any surface water run-off from beyond the pond, out. The swimming pond is, essentially, a self-contained eco-system.

The first phase is to remove the top soil from the pond area and pile it to one side. Then to remove the top soil from where the spoil from the pond dig will be spread, and pile to one side. This can either be at the far end of the field (as viewed from the house) or down towards the lane.

We then dig out the pond and spread the spoil over the pre-prepared space and cover with the top soil in order to let the area regenerate and revert to a natural looking meadow. You may wish to re-seed it to speed up the regeneration.

Once the pond is dug, we have allowed time to remove any flint or stones jutting out of the ground in order to avoid any sharp edges cutting into the membrane. We have also factored in the laying of 2 inches of sand to further mitigate any risk, and then this will be flattened down with a mechanical whacker plate.

When the base of the pond is fully prepared, we build the retaining wooden border that surrounds the pond, and abuts the French drain that circles the pond immediately beyond the wooden border. Then we install the protective sheet of underlay, then the membrane, and then the protective overlay, prior to constructing the sandbag walls (dark olive green) to retain the 12m x 6m swim zone.

Next comes the installation of the pond's circulation piping and aeration system within the regeneration zone, before covering all with gravel and commencing filling the pond with water. Please note that if the well has insufficient water to pump continuously we will also need to use mains water via hose pipes from the house.

In order to control the water level, the overflow system will utilise the French drain around the pond. The French drain will also protect the pond area from water ingress. Drainage fingers?

In order to keep the pond topped up from natural evaporation, we propose installing a pump in your well and piping water to the pond. This will require a slit trench being cut from the well to the pond and the installation of a water level monitor at the pond, which automatically pumps water from the well as and when required.

Once the pond is slightly over half full, we will plant the aquatic plants, install the skimmer and pumps, finish off the French drain, and cover the drain with top soil.

The gradient of gravel in the regen zone allows for the appropriate variations in depth that different plants require.

Aquatic Plants

Below are a selection of recommended plants for your pond.

Roll your mouse over each image for the name and flowering period.

White Pond Lily

May - Sept

Flowering Rush

June - July

Sweet Gallingale

Aug - Oct

Quotation

Thank you for inviting Eau Naturelle to quote for assisting in the design and construction of your natural

swimming pond. As agreed, everything will be done at trade pricing, with almost all invoicing going through you to keep everything transparent and above board.

All materials and aquatic plants £x + vat

Digger, digger man, dumper and earth removal

Telehandler, tracked mini-dumper, whacker plate

Gravel (x tons) and sand (x tons)

Labour £x

Miscellaneous: allow £x for excavation problems, weather delays, surprises

Price Excludes

Electrician and cabling costs

Decking / Pontoon

Terms & Conditions

Due to the nature of our arrangement whereby everything is being done at minimal cost, should you decide to proceed, it is agreed that:

You will be responsible for paying invoices swiftly upon receipt, in the knowledge that any delays in payment may result in unexpected delays and project / cost over-runs. Eau Naturelle will apply 15% surcharge to all such invoices (i.e. half the rate of a traditional mark up).
You will designate appropriate hard standing areas for delivery.
You will be responsible for any necessary insurance for those working on site and for general liability going forward.
With the exception of WL-J and SP, labourers on site may need to be paid daily and you agree to make such payments, subject to receipt of itemised time sheets. WL-J and SP will invoice for their time on a weekly basis.
You will kindly allow us to photograph the project at all stages for use on our website, and allow us to publish copies of the designs too.
You will kindly allow us use your swimming pond as an occasional show pond to demonstrate our work to prospective clients. We will attend in all cases without the need for your involvement, and will always pre-agree appointment times with you.
You will not disclose to any third parties the costings for your project, but may disclose that Eau Naturelle did the work for you at 'mates rates'. In fact, you may wish to tell your friends that a project of this scale, if done by an established company, would cost approximately £195,000. But for any of your friends, Eau Naturelle can probably do it for half that price.

Maintenance

A swimming pond needs much less maintenance than a conventional pool, as there are no chemicals to add and manage. Nature carries out almost all of the cleaning services for you, but it is still needs a small amount of regular attention. Namely, emptying the skimmers and ensuring that leaves do not build up in large quantities.

Removing leaves (and discouraging ducks) helps to keep the water's nutrient levels low. On this basis, you can be confident that the water will be completely clear all the time. Many people like to spend time looking after their pond themselves. However we also have a dedicated maintenance team and offer a maintenance service which can be as often or infrequent as you need. We generally recommend that our maintenance team visits at least once a year to check on the pond's development and its equipment, assist in trimming the acquatic plants, and to give the swimming zone a hoover.

Eau Naturelle charge £250 for call outs and for up to half a day (4 hours) and £500 per 8 hour day for maintenance services, plus reasonable expenses. Price excludes corresponding hourly travel time (£62.50).