FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT SORT OF GARDEN SUITS A SWIMMING POND?

Larger gardens suit them because the planted-up wetland regeneration zone requires the same area as the swimming pool zone itself. There needs to be access for excavation machinery and for the pond to look comfortable in its surrounding landscape. Mercer says: “Our most popular size of swimming pond is 180m sq, which gives you 90m sq of pond and 90m sq for the filtration. The smallest we have built is about 80m sq total, 40 for the pond and 40 for the plants.”

WHAT PLANTS ARE USED?

Aquatic marginal species that thrive in a relatively low-nutrient environment but also look attractive. Many are likely to be natives that benefit aquatic wildlife, but they also need to be non-invasive. Choices are likely to include sedge Cyperus longus, Nymphaea alba (the white native water lily), Iris pseudacorus (flag iris) and oxygenator Ceratophyllum demersum, all of them submerged in at least 20cm of water.

WHAT IF MY GARDEN IS FORMAL, WITH LOTS OF STRAIGHT LINES?

The pond can be any shape as long as there is a 50:50 filtering vegetation and swimming area. The pool can look contemporary or naturalistic according to personal preference.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO INSTALL?

Several months. Following site visits and the design process it takes a further nine or 10 weeks on site to build. There is also likely to be outdoor lighting and some associated garden design as modifications tend to be made to the surroundings.

DOES MY GARDEN NEED TO BE FLAT?

No; where there is a gradient it simply means that part of the pond area will need to be built up to achieve the desired water level across the area.

WILL I BE SWIMMING SURROUNDED BY WILDLIFE?

Yes. Newts enjoy both zones. Likewise, water snails, aquatic beetles, pond skaters, water-boatmen, frogs, toads and dragonflies will arrive. A big part of the charm of swimming ponds is the connection with nature; birds are drawn in to drink and feed and bats may swoop at dusk. It’s wild swimming, but on your doorstep, in “gin-clear” water.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Expect an average size (e.g., total 180m sq) pond to cost in excess of £100,000 plus VAT; smaller will be slightly less; larger will be more. Running the pump from March to November will have an electricity cost, albeit less than the costs related to a traditional heated and filtered swimming pool.