Cool, cool water

Press, 26 November 1980, Page 18

Cool, cool water

Warm summers such as New Zealand enjoys beg for water, and it does not need to be a vast lake or even a large swimming pool to create that cool feeling. Water makes a garden come to life. Just a small pond or fountain in the corner of a courtyard or a modest bird bath at the bottom of the garden can have this effect. So. of course, can a swimming pool. In earlier years when gardens were mostly larger than they are now, swimming pools were generally at least 3m wide

and about 10m long. Ideas on botlt size and shape, let alone colour and materials, are now much more flexible. The new materials and methods mean a much greater range of choice. Along with the competition between many pool companies, this also means the prices of pools today make them far more widely available than they used to be. Prefabricated, aboveground swimming pools range from the tank-type with the same depth throughout to models that slope towards a deep end requiring excavation.

'‘Prefab" shapes are limited to circles, ovals and rectangles but sizes go up to about 7m by 14m.

For above-ground pools, galvanised steel or aluminium walls lined with vinyl are common construction materials but concrete, fibreglass and rubber are sometimes used.

There are filter units and skimmers designed especially for such pools, and the height above ground can be used as a built-in safety feature. Removeable ladders or steps can make access impossible for children when the pool is out of use. If a sunken pool seems desirable, first check that the land is suitable and the size of pool required can be fitted in clear of such constraints as underground drainage or water supply pipes or easements for power and telephone installations.

Dug-in swimming pools range from Im to 4m deep, with back-fill round the shell. A building permit is required for the structure and the area’s local authority is the source of information on set-back knd fencing laws, health standards, discharge registration and building inspection requirements.

Hillside pools can be spectacularly attractive, and again the local council will be able to give advice on special requirements.