Building a swimming pool: 10 things you need to know.

A guide to building a swimming pool

A small garden and a sweltering summer. These elements alone are enough to spark the idea of building a swimming pool at home. If you’ve found yourself thinking about building your very own swimming pool, you’ve come to the right place: by the end of this article, you’ll know everything there is to know about building a swimming pool, whether it’s an in-ground pool, an infinity pool or a temporary pool.

Thanks to new technologies and the rediscovery of certain systems, building a swimming pool is a dream that can become a reality. But before we delve into the technical aspects, let’s learn how to design a swimming pool that suits your needs.

Here are some things to bear in mind when building a swimming pool.

Some features can be decided right from the start. So grab a pen and paper and jot down your choices regarding:

1. The location could be a traditional in-ground swimming pool, an indoor pool, or one on a terrace;
2. The size depends on the space available and the number of people you want it to accommodate, but also on the volume of water and the system you intend to operate;
3. the depth, which may be variable or constant (in the following paragraphs we shall analyse the choice of maximum depth);
4. a simple, minimalist design, suitable for swimming, or an extravagant one that mimics a natural shape;
5. accessories, such as steps leading into the swimming pool, the choice of lighting for night-time swims, or even an outdoor shower.

Excellent. Now that we’ve clarified these points, let’s look at the fundamental and essential aspects of building a swimming pool.

6. Wastewater treatment plant

The water treatment system is a key component in the construction of a swimming pool, whether public or private. Its main purpose is to keep the pool water clean and safe for swimmers.

The water treatment system operates via a water filtration system, which removes impurities and contaminants from the pool water, such as oil and grease residues, sand, debris, algae and bacteria. Typically, swimming pool water treatment systems include a sand filter, a pump system for recirculating the water and a chemical dosing pump.

It is important to keep the water treatment system in good working order and clean to ensure the system’s effectiveness and the quality of the pool water. Well-treated pool water is not only important for the health and safety of swimmers, but also helps to extend the lifespan of the pool itself.

In a traditional system, a water circuit is formed comprising inlets known as skimmers, which draw in surface water and any debris present (leaves, insects), sand filters, a circulation pump and, finally, jets that return the water to the pool. In addition, a drainage system for the treated water must be designed to allow the pool to empty completely.

The positioning of these components must be carefully assessed, as incorrect design would affect the cleanliness of the swimming pool, its maintenance and, consequently, the lifespan of the components. For example, sand filters must be installed in a plant room.

7. The plant room

It must also house any electrical switchboard or control units for the automatic dosing of chemicals, as well as other water analysis equipment. The main purpose of the plant room is to keep all the pool’s technical components dry and sheltered, whilst also protecting them from sources of heat and the risk of flooding.

The plant room may be above ground or underground, but should preferably be situated close enough to the swimming pool to minimise the length of the pipework. An underground plant room has a very robust, waterproof structure and can be either a prefabricated unit, made of polyethylene and fitted with a flat or decorative cover to blend harmoniously into any setting, or a proper concrete chamber, suitably waterproofed.

The plant room must be well lit and have an adequate ventilation system to ensure proper air circulation and prevent the build-up of mould and unpleasant odours.

Finally, it is important to check that the plant room complies with current regulations on safety and water hygiene for swimming pools.

8. Lighting

One aspect that should not be underestimated when building a swimming pool is the lighting, which ensures optimum comfort during summer evening swims and creates a charming atmosphere in the evening hours. Careful selection of the lighting can transform the swimming pool into the most important feature of your garden. There are various technologies available for the lighting system. Naturally, the key thing is to ensure that the entire system is waterproof.

Halogen spotlights are the most traditional type of underwater pool lighting. They are generally fitted with 12 V halogen bulbs positioned around the perimeter of the pool. They have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, but require a substantial electrical installation. Halogen bulbs have a shorter lifespan than LEDs and consume a great deal of electricity. They produce a focused beam of light, so more than one spotlight is often required. The number needed depends on the size and shape of the pool, as well as the beam angle of the spotlight itself.

Another interesting type of lighting is provided by LEDs. Today, the cost of this technology is much lower than it used to be. Furthermore, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) consume very little power, so you can keep your pool lights on without worrying about your electricity bill.

This technology has an ace up its sleeve: the ability to choose the colour of the lighting we want. Thanks to this choice of colour, from a chromotherapy perspective, building a swimming pool becomes an opportunity to promote greater mental and physical wellbeing. Just be careful not to overdo it.

If you are thinking of building an infinity pool, another visually striking solution is achieved by installing a flexible strip of LED lights inside the overflow channel. The aesthetic result is exceptional backlighting of the channel itself, which softly outlines the pool’s edge.

For a detailed lighting design study – and to help you choose the right technology for your swimming pool – please do not hesitate to contact us.

9. Planning permission to build a swimming pool

Here we come to the most ‘tricky’ part of building a swimming pool: what planning permission is required? This is a question that is as fundamental as it is difficult.
At national level, there is no clear regulatory answer on this matter. We can certainly state that no planning permission is required to build a temporary swimming pool – that is, one that can be dismantled. Whether it is an in-ground or above-ground swimming pool, with a rigid structure – be it made of reinforced concrete, steel panels or prefabricated elements – you will need to apply for a Building Permit (formerly a building consent, Articles 10–21 of the Consolidated Building Act).

A planning permission is a formal document that authorises the carrying out of building works such as:

• new-build projects;
• urban regeneration projects;
• urban regeneration projects that involve an increase in the number of property units, alterations to the building’s volume, shape, façades or floor areas, or that entail a change in the building’s intended use.

The application for a planning permission must be submitted to the one-stop shop for building matters at your local council, accompanied by:

• title of entitlement;
• design documents required by the building regulations and by other documents, where applicable;
• a self-certification stating that the project complies with health and hygiene regulations;

Generally speaking, in accordance with the Consolidated Building Act, planning permission is required for all new-build projects that involve a structural or town-planning transformation of the area. It is clear that a planning permission is always required to build a swimming pool when it is a standalone structure, and is therefore not regarded as an appurtenance to the neighbouring building.

Provided it is an ancillary structure, we may construct a swimming pool with a volume not exceeding 20 per cent of the volume of the main building. In this case, we may submit a simple S.C.I.A. (notification of commencement of works) before work begins, as held by the Apulia Regional Administrative Court.
Please note, however, that if the land on which we plan to build a swimming pool is subject to landscape or hydrogeological restrictions, we will need to apply for further authorisations from the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage or the Forestry Inspectorate.

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), in the interests of preserving the landscape, we may well face strong opposition from the supervisory authorities. A natural swimming pool could be the ideal compromise for obtaining the necessary planning permission to build a swimming pool, as it blends in perfectly with the surrounding environment.

10. Natural swimming pool

This is a natural swimming pool, built using exclusively natural materials, offering pleasant swims in fresh water within a relaxing and even therapeutic setting.
Thanks to the phytoremediation of the water provided by specific plant species, we will be able to create a swimming pool that requires far fewer filtration systems and chemicals such as chlorine.

Phytoremediation is a water purification technique based on the use of plants and microorganisms that work together to remove pollutants and harmful substances from water. Plants, particularly aquatic ones, play a vital role in the phytoremediation process, as they absorb nutrients and pollutants from the water through their roots, whilst the microorganisms present in the soil around the plants’ roots break down organic matter and oxidise the pollutants.

Constructed wetlands are a sustainable and low-cost method of water treatment, which can be used in many different contexts, including systems for treating domestic wastewater, industrial and agricultural effluent, and surface water.

We’ll be writing a dedicated article soon, as this is a very interesting and wide-ranging topic. Follow us so you don’t miss any updates.

Conclusions

In conclusion, building a swimming pool can be a challenging project, but with the right planning and attention to detail, it is possible to create an outdoor space that offers fun, relaxation and adds value to your home.

As we have seen, before starting to build a swimming pool, it is important to consider all aspects of the construction process – from local regulations to the choice of materials – to ensure a satisfactory, long-lasting and, above all, compliant end result.

With the right care and maintenance, a swimming pool can become the centre of family life and outdoor activities for many years to come.

Architecture is at home here.