FAQ
Constructed wetlands
Constructed wetland is a natural water purification system. With a constructed wetland system, it is possible to purify gray water, black water, and industrial wastewater. In the case of private homes, it must always be placed downstream of an Imhoff tank and/or a grease trap.
Purification occurs through the combined action of plants and microorganisms that form in the system. The purified wastewater can be dispersed into the environment without polluting, or reused for irrigation or other non-potable purposes. Click here for more information.
There are many species of plants that can be used. The two main categories are divided into marsh plants and submerged plants.
Marsh plants live with their roots submerged but grow above water: among the main plants used are Iris Pseudacorus, Carex, Saururus, Lythrum Salicaria, Juncus, Sparganium, Acorus Calamus, and many others.
Among submerged plants, on the other hand, we usually use various species of Myriophyllum and Potamogeton, as well as many types of Nymphaea, of course.
To install a constructed wetland system in your garden, you must first assess its feasibility with your local municipal technical office. Often, homes located near sewers are required to connect to them, but a system may still be authorized.
In addition, you must assess the space required and therefore the availability of space and the slope of the land, as well as the possibility of discharging or reusing the effluent.
A constructed wetland system has an average lifespan of around 15-20 years, but this depends greatly on the type of use and maintenance. At the end of its lifespan, the gravel and plants will need to be cleaned and replaced, removing all the deposits that have accumulated over the years.
Constructed wetland systems can be installed in any type of climate and at any altitude. Obviously, this greatly affects the design and choice of plants used. Rainfall and solar radiation are among the key elements to consider.
Natural swimming pools and ponds
Unlike a traditional pool (chlorine, salt, or other methods), a natural pool has several economic, health, and ecological advantages:
- it consumes much less energy with low-consumption pumps;
- it consumes much less water because it never needs to be emptied;
- it does not irritate the skin and mucous membranes, unlike chlorine;
- it does not need to be connected to the sewage system and can be fed by rainwater;
- maintenance and management are less costly;
- permits are easier to obtain and do not increase the luxury class of the property;
- it contributes to the biodiversity of the area thanks to the flora and fauna it attracts.
On average, construction takes about one month. The time required varies greatly depending on a number of factors, including: the size and complexity of the project, the type of soil, accessibility for vehicles, weather conditions, the materials used, etc.
As with traditional pools, the bottom and walls must be vacuumed using a manual vacuum cleaner or robot cleaner. Cleaning should be done whenever deemed necessary for aesthetic purposes. During the swimming season, it can be cleaned only once or twice a month, but it can also be cleaned every day if desired. During the winter season, however, no maintenance is required.
Aquatic and marsh plants should be cut back at the end of the swimming season, and the biofilter should be cleaned of leaves, dry branches, and deposits from time to time.
Conversion to a natural pool is always possible. Feasibility must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The biological filtration system can be installed inside the pool itself or outside it. It does not necessarily have to be adjacent but can be located in the immediate vicinity, creating a bed of aquatic and marsh plants.
The costs of a natural swimming pool or pond vary greatly depending on several factors, first and foremost the size. The materials and complexity of the project also have a significant impact, as does the time required for construction. A natural pond can be more economical because it requires less construction work.
To give you a rough idea, indicative prices could start at:
- ornamental ponds: €400/m²;
- swimming bio-lakes: €650/m²;
- bio-pools: €950/m².
The choice is purely aesthetic and landscape-related. The solutions for shapes, sizes, and materials are truly endless. Let your personal taste guide you and imagine yourself immersed in the water. The designs range from the traditional geometric shapes of natural pools to the more complex and natural shapes of natural lakes, with hybrid solutions also available. At Rigenera, we try to meet the tastes and needs of our customers with a participatory design process, without imposing pre-established models.
The choice is purely aesthetic and landscape-related. The solutions for shapes, sizes, and materials are truly endless. Let your personal taste guide you and imagine yourself immersed in the water. The designs range from the traditional geometric shapes of natural pools to the more complex and natural shapes of natural lakes, with hybrid solutions also available. At Rigenera, we try to meet the tastes and needs of our customers with a participatory design process, without imposing pre-established models.
There are no limits to swimming in a natural swimming pool or bio-pool, if you are brave enough to take the plunge in winter!
Natural pools are a natural habitat for various amphibians and aquatic insects. In the filter section, you will find frogs, newts, dragonflies, and small insects of various sizes. This is why natural pools are a great source of biodiversity.
Mosquitoes, on the other hand, find it a hostile environment, because the moving water makes it difficult for them to lay their larvae. As the water is very clear and oxygenated, mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs elsewhere. Furthermore, natural swimming pools are rich in predators of mosquito larvae, which will keep them away.
In a functioning natural swimming pool, there are no mosquitoes.
Fish should not be introduced, as they generate a lot of organic waste that makes the water cloudy and unhealthy for swimming. If you want to have fish in your natural swimming pool, you can look into hydraulic solutions that allow you to have two separate but contiguous basins. Water treatment with fish requires technologies that are very different from those used for natural swimming pools and natural pools.