The swimming pool, commonly referred to as pool only, can trace its ancestry back through several millennia, although its popularity have waxed and waned with the societal trends.
A pool can be built either above or in the ground, and must normally be sanitized to prevent bacteria, virus and other potentially dangerous microorganisms from reaching hazardous levels. You will also need to perform algae and insect control, to keep the pool looking nice and prevent diseases from being spread.
The most common ways of keeping a swimming pool sanitary is to use chemicals such as chlorine or bromine, but it is also possible to use biofilters. Natural pools where no chemicals or devices are used have started to become more popular during recent decades. Clarifying and cleaning is instead achieved purely with through biological filters and plants, just as in a lake.
A natural swimming pool or pond is typically divided into two areas:
- One part is the part used for swimming and frolicing around.
- The second part is used for Biological processes that help keep the water clean. Natural swimming pools are often constructed with a regeneration zone that works like a lined overflow pool filled with filtration substrate. Just as in a lake, this substrate can be sand, gravel, lava stone or similar. It is also common to include plants in the regeneration zone, since they help keep the water sanitary and also forms an appealing water garden.
One of the earliest mentions of a swimming pool is the Great Bath of Moenjo-daro. Moenjo-daro was located in modern day Pakistan and was one of leading cities in the Indus Valley Civilization. The Great Bath is believed to have been dug during the 3rd millennium BC and was 12 meters long and 7 meters wide. The walls were lined with bricks and covered in a tar-based sealant to keep the water in.
In the 4th century BC, a twin-pool known as Kuttam Pokuna was built by the ancient Sinhalese in the kingdom of Anuradhapura. These pools were made from granite slabs and steps were placed on both ends of the pools. They also constructed embankments to make it easier for monks to access the water. The water was filtered before it entered the ponds and was brought to Kuttam Pokuna through underground ducts and channels.
On the European continent, the most famous pools created for recreational purposes are probably the ones dug out by the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The swimming pools where used for pleasure but also for training and for military exercises. The Spanish word for pool, piscina, can be traced back to the fact that roman emperors used to keep fish in their pools (pisces).
The first heated swimming pool was built in room in the first century BC by lord Gaius Maecenas. He was the confidant and political adviser of Rome's first emperor and his name has become synonymous with a wealthy, generous and enlightened patron.
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