Yep, the water's green. That's exactly what makes it so awesome.
For a long time, there were only two ways to access a "naturally filtered" pool: live in Europe or open up your wallet.
In the years since, they've seen a rapid increase in numbers. Today there are over 20,000 natural pools in Europe, including plenty open to the general public.
For those of us in the States, however, natural pools are much harder to come by.
there are lots of strict state-mandated regulations around the use of chemicals for bacteria, so natural pools just haven't been an option for most communities.
That's why most of us have been stuck wading in pale blue, chlorinated waters for as long as we can remember.
But that's about to change — at least, if you live in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis is about to open the first all-natural, chlorine-free public swimming pool in the United States.
It's called the Webber natural pool, and the project has taken over four years and $6 million of funding, not to mention the numerous legal hurdles and construction delays, but it's finally coming to fruition.
The pool is all set to open on July 24, 2015.
The Webber pool features a shallow end and a deep end — like any good pool — and it also features an even deeper jumping platform, lap swimming lanes, and holds over 500,000 gallons of water.
Every 12 hours, the entire half-million gallon pool slowly drains in and out of what's called a "regeneration basin" filled with over 7,000 different aquatic plants rooted in gravel and limestone. The plants consume some of the bacteria and nutrients — the ones you wouldn't want getting in your eyes — for growth, while the rest clings to the gravel.
Simple vacuums finish the job by keeping the actual pool surface clean, no chemicals required.
It's not just the cleaning mechanisms that make this natural pool so appealing. In a lot of ways, the Webber pool is more like a lake than a pool, with live turtles and frogs populating the water, along with some algae to keep the ecosystem strong. The pool is also surrounded by as much grass and greenery as possible.
All in the name of a truly natural experience.
The Webber pool is a great start, but we need more like it.
There are also environmental concerns around the use and disposal of harsh pool chemicals.
number one parks system in the U.S. for the past three years by The Trust for Public Land.
aybe that attitude is why Minneapolis Parks and Rec has been rated the"We have a responsibility to be good stewards of public land and public water. It's consistent with our mission."
With Minneapolis paving the way, hopefully we'll see more natural public pools springing up in the years to come.
Clarification: The Webber pool is the first natural pool that isn't fed from a creek or spring. There are also some great privately owned natural pools out there as well. Either way, we can all agree that a pool without chemicals public or private — is a great idea no matter its water source!
Thanks so much to Jayne Miller of Minneapolis Parks and Recreation for taking the time to talk to Upworthy for this story and to Angela Doheny for providing the lovely photographs of Webber pool, including the thumbnail image.
Learn more about the Webber pool at the official website.
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