Have you ever thought about the experience of diving into a biolake? By now we have gradually become accustomed to inserting the suffix bio in a bit of everything, from agriculture to construction, embracing every sector from the most common to the most refined, so much so that not having to deal with something “bio” makes us strange. For years, the garden pond and the swimming pool have changed their appearance, expanding to the tastes and needs of those customers who increasingly seek a sustainable approach to nature, especially in everyday life.
With the terms bio-lake and bio-pool we mean an ornamental freshwater basin which, in addition to enriching the outdoor design, allows bathing in complete tranquillity, in water treated in a completely biological way and, therefore, totally free of chemicals. To keep the water clean and free from pathogenic bacteria, there are various ways, systems that have been improved and perfected over the years in order to offer customers a truly “bio” product and therefore free of any chemical substance.
The main difference between bio-lake and bio-pool is linked to aesthetics. A typical feature of the bio-lake is its conformation that frees itself from the geometry and fits into the environment, integrating with the surrounding greenery: it can be created in any space, even on a slope, thanks to the absence of concrete and the use of PVC, which adapt to the shape of the ground and harmoniously follow its trend. Another distinctive feature of the bio-lake is the inclusion of elements recalling nature, such as steps, waterfalls, water features and underwater lights, which emphasize the design and generate a further sense of well-being and tranquillity both in the water and to the surrounding context. The bio-pool, on the other hand, combines the design of the traditional pool with true contact with nature given by water (if desired, it can also be created without plants), offering an original and unique experience of its kind.
Filtering water in a biological way means operating on two elements:
– phosphorus cycle (phosphates), to prevent the formation of algae: it is the slowest sedimentary cycle present in nature, which involves the soil, water, plants and sediments;
– nitrogen cycle, to naturally clean the water of nitrates from leaves, insects and skin. These materials settle on the seabed and are absorbed by the roots of the plants in 20-30 days, but nitrifying bacteria of the genus Nitrosomonas or Nitrospiras are added to speed up the process.
In order to act on these cycles and keep the water clear (without algae) and clean (without bacteria) from the 1970s to the present, we have operated in different ways. The first bio-lakes only provided for phytoremediation, without the use of technical devices, which consists of a natural filtration system obtained from a careful design of aquatic and marshy plants, chosen among oxygenating, shading and ground cover which eliminate the organic load present in the water.
This system, however, involved a 1: 5 ratio between plants and bio-pool, greatly limiting the swimming area in favor of the regeneration area. Subsequently, it was decided to opt for a mix made of 30% plants and 70% of technology, offering more space to the bathing area and reducing that of regeneration. The technique has been gradually implemented, reaching today, with bio-pools built even without the use of plants, but with the purification and oxygenation of the water entrusted to a system composed of a combination of OASE biological filters (pressure filter, sponge filter or continuous filter) with the addition of a pump, a UVC lamp, a skimmer and a phosphate trap. This system has the great advantage of effectively cleaning the water and making the entire surface of the bio-pool suitable for bathing (without having to give up part of it to dedicate it to the regeneration area); moreover, it frees the customer from the knowledge of certain technical skills necessary for the care and maintenance of aquatic species, which require the specific know-how of professionals in the sector.
At this point we could ask ourselves: why prefer a bio-pool to a traditional one? The answer lies mainly in the quality of the water: a water free of chemical agents allows it to be experienced even by people with very sensitive skin, such as those prone to allergies and dermatitis or infants. Being purified only through UVC lamps, mechanical filtration, plants and substrates is particularly delicate, as opposed to that treated with products such as acid, chlorine, salts and other added chemicals.
Therefore, in the struggle between the bio-pool and a traditional swimming pool, the bathing lake wins, which gives the exteriors and the surrounding area its high landscape-environmental value: its beauty changes with the passing of the seasons, it grows and matures, but above all it becomes mirror of the colors and particularities of each month. It must not be covered during the winter, because it will continue to shine even in the coldest months and then return to its full usability with the arrival of warmer climates.
But after all these qualities, are there also flaws? The only aspect that could make you desist from living this experience is the formation of biofilm on the surfaces, which, however, does not entail any problems or consequences for health and bathing.
This type of intervention is increasingly in demand in accommodation facilities to give real added value to the offer and to meet the tastes and needs of customers, who are increasingly directed towards a sustainable and eco-friendly experience. To incentivize the structures to invest in competitiveness, the Hotel Bonus was established, which allows hotel companies to benefit from a maximum total tax credit of € 200,000.00 (on a maximum investment of € 307,693), which covers the 65% of the costs of extraordinary maintenance, restoration and conservative rehabilitation, building renovation, elimination of architectural barriers, increase in energy efficiency and adoption of anti-seismic measures, but also the expenses for the purchase of furniture and furnishing accessories for buildings object of building intervention; obviously the eligible expenses also include those related to the design and construction of a bio-lake or a bio- pool. Private individuals, on the other hand, who cannot enjoy this incentive, can choose the Green Bonus for the construction of their bio-lake, which consists of an income tax deduction equal to 36% of the expenditure incurred up to a maximum of € 5,000.00; otherwise, if you already have a swimming pool and want to renovate and convert it into a bio-pool, you can opt for the Restructuring Bonus which offers a discount of 50% on a maximum total amount of € 96,000.00.
At this point, you have the all necessary information about the bio-lake and the bio-pool, as well as the Government incentives that also help to make it happen, you just have to imagine it and choose us to design it!
