PUBLIC THE POOL REINVENTED - PLANTS INSTEAD OF CHEMICALS TM

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1 PUBLIC THE POOL REINVENTED - PLANTS INSTEAD OF CHEMICALS TM

2 BioNova Natural Pools- Swimming the Way Nature Intended Natural Swimming Pools (NSPs), a complete reinvention of the swimming pool, are constructed ecosystems in which the conditions found in natural water bodies are replicated, developed and optimized for bather health and safety. Paired with German engineered, energy-efficient pumps and biological filters, hand-selected indigenous plants are rooted hydroponically in a special gravel substrate to clarify and purify the swimming waters. BioNova Natural Swimming Pools are widely enjoyed throughout Europe and Australia where conservation, ecology and sustainability are an inherent part of the culture. With more than 20,000 Natural Swimming Pool Installations currently in use, it is clear that Europeans and Aussies are way ahead of the curve in embracing the notion of Natural Swimming Pools. Introducing BioNova Natural Swimming Pools BioNova is a global network of partners on 6 continents who work synergistically to promote state-of-the-art Natural Swimming Pool design, construction, aesthetics and maintenance. We have designed and planned public pools on 4 continents: Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. We have consultants, designers, planners and construction specialists who are available to meet any requirement for small-scale or large-scale public Natural Swimming Pool installations. BioNova Natural Pools provides natural swimming pool design, consulting, planning, construction and project management throughout North America. For a consultation on your project, please contact us at 507-Bio-Nova ( ) or info@bionovanaturalpools.com Byron Bay, Australia Bad Abbach, Germany

3 A More Sustainable Alternative Schöllkrippen, Germany An NSP s biological filtration technology works in tune with nature s methods, not against them. Plants chosen for hardiness in your specific locale are used for water purification along with microbes, microorganisms and patented hydraulic and filter technology, to ensure effective, continuous cleaning. After being established in their gravel beds, the aquatic plants will grow back perennially with routine garden maintenance. Water flow is also an important component of the biological system and a large determinant in the ecological sustainability of a pool. The natural processes that take place in an NSP require much slower water circulation rates than a traditional pool, resulting in lower energy costs for operation. The chemicals routinely added to pool water are a direct contradiction to truly fresh, pure, natural pool water. Chlorine and other chemicals are often backwashed from the pool into a city sewer or into the ground water network as a requirement of maintenance of conventional pools, adversely affecting environmental quality. NATURAL - ECO-FRIENDLY - HEALTHY

4 A Brief History of the NSP Originally called Schwimmteiche, the first NSPs originated in Austria in the early 1980s. These early NSPs were fairly simple in design and incorporated few of the technological innovations available today. Pioneers of these Natural Pools understood the biological principles behind water purification and used this knowledge to mimic and recreate natural processes in their own designs. In 1990, the first public NSP was constructed in Herzogsdorf, Austria; this pool is still in use today marked the design and installation of the first public pool in Germany. Municipal and private natural swimming pools have since become increasingly popular throughout Europe, with over 100 public NSPs now in Germany alone. With pool patrons numbering in the thousands on summer days, the NSP concept and technology has more than proven its functionality and viability.

5 Sigtuna, Sweden Bad Abbach, Germany A Great Option for Large Public Pools Natural Swimming Pools function at all scales using the same biological filtration principles. In fact, the larger the pool, the better it is able to maintain stability and properly clean the water. Large public NSPs can easily handle thousands of visitors a day while still maintaining a high level of water quality. A public Natural Pool provides a clean, sustainable swimming environment for many people, as seen in the photos. The ability to learn about the water purification processes first-hand is an important educational opportunity for both children and adults. Plus, swimming in a natural pool is pure fun!

6 How a Natural Pool Functions An NSP cleans water without chemicals: the water is purified naturally by moving through filters and allowing the plants and beneficial microorganisms to work the same way they do in nature. Water exits the swimming vessel by gravity through overflow channels located around the pool. It then flows into the biological finefilters where large debris and particulate matter are collected before the water continues, by gravity, into the regeneration zone to go through layers of gravel substrate. Finally, a circulation pump draws the water out of the regeneration zone and returns it back to the swimming area.

7 Corvara, Italy Château de Germigney, France

8 The Science Behind Natural Water Purification In the regeneration pond, biological principles are at work breaking down undesirable components in the water and transforming them into nutrient for plants. (Illustrated in the Nitrogen Cycle diagram below). It is important to note that soil of any kind is absent from this system. Because there is no soil, plants and microbes must get all nutrients from the water, competing for the nutrients that would otherwise feed algae growth.

9 The NSP is a balanced ecosystem where all plants, microorganisms, and external nutrients are interrelated to create true living water. This is in contrast with the sterile water of a conventional swimming pool in which nothing (besides swimmers) can exist. An NSP functions optimally when all of the biological factors are present in the correct ratios, resulting in a stable system. In fact, the system becomes more stable with time. This supports the principle that natural water purification is a more logical approach than routine addition of chemicals.

10 Health and Water Quality Standards Natural Swimming Pools have been proven safe and swimmable through ongoing use and by diligent monitoring of over one hundred public NSPs in Germany alone, with some pools receiving thousands of visitors per day! Vorderhornbach, Austria German FLL Standards were developed for NSPs in 2003 and updated/revised in These guidelines for the regulation of design, use, and monitoring of Natural Swimming Pools have been adopted by most of the EU nations. Pools built under the FLL standards are held to strict water quality and public health standards. Additionally, all NSPs are placarded with the results of the most recent biological testing and an informed consent notice that the bathing water is not disinfected. Here in North America, water quality standards for Natural Swimming Pools do not currently exist. Although several jurisdictions have standards for bathing beaches, those standards are not as stringent as those of the FLL. BioNova has the experience to meet with and discuss appropriate health and water quality standards for Public NSPs in any North American jurisdiction.

11 The First of its Kind in North America BioNova Natural Pools North America is the recipient of the contract to provide the design and planning for the construction of the first public Natural Swimming Pool in North America. The public facility at Minneapolis, Minnesota will be free of charge for its residents and will feature both a beach entry and deep end, a waterfall, lap lanes, a water slide, and a natural stone jumping cliff. Preliminary Master Plan - Minneapolis, MN

12 Webber Park of Minneapolis, Minnesota Preliminary Detail Plan - Minneapolis, MN Presently, renovation of the entire Webber Park facility is scheduled for completion by September 2013, with the grand opening of the chemicalfree swimming pool in June In addition, a new aquatics building will include a pavilion area, rest rooms, ticket facilities, and changing rooms. The Natural Swimming Pool will be available for not only summer bathers but also for winter skaters who will be able to skate on the natural swimming pool once the water has frozen. BioNova NSP near Berlin, Germany in Winter

13 In a Class of their Own Natural Swimming Pools take an innovative new approach to the traditional pool and are often more beautiful and fun than their chemical counterparts. Most importantly, the biological filtration makes for an ecologically friendly pool, allows for greater environmental sustainability and requires very low energy consumption. BioNova provides extensive experience in Natural Pool design and construction, having practiced in Europe for over 25 years. Coupled with over 50 years of experience in the traditional pool industry, BioNova Natural Pools brings the proven European techniques and technologies to North America. We hope that you will appreciate these unique and innovative swimming pools as much as we do. Bad Abbach, Germany

14 BioNova Natural Pools Partners at Nantucket, MA - USA Phone: (507) North American Headquarters: 21 Route 46 Hackettstown, NJ REV