Belgium has inaugurated its first organic and ecological municipal swimming pool in Dour, just 30 kilometers from Valenciennes. This pioneering public facility uses natural filtration, making it one of the earliest of its kind in the country.
Reeds and irises naturally purify the water, and swimmers rave about the experience. In Dour, bathing leverages the ecosystem intelligently and sustainably.
Importantly, this biological pool contains no chlorine or chemicals.
The water boasts a beautiful green hue, staying impeccably clean while prioritizing health and environmental protection. See for yourself:
An ecological swimming pool operates simply and effectively. Plants growing alongside the bathing area perform natural filtration.
These plants consume impurities from the water to fuel their growth. Wind, rain, and swimmers continually introduce contaminants, ensuring the plants stay active and the water pristine. Ingenious and eco-friendly, right?
For divers, this biological pool is ideal. It bridges natural open-water diving—often hard to access—and traditional chlorinated, heated indoor pools.
Divers benefit from a dedicated biological diving pit reaching 5.2 meters deep—the first of its kind accessible in Europe.
"Here, we can conduct initial training and baptism dives for beginners in a natural setting that's not overwhelming, unlike sites 20 meters deep," says Jean-Christophe Calculs, head of the diving center.
The only trade-off: daily maintenance takes about 6 hours to clear algae from the walls. In return, swimmers enjoy extended sessions, even those allergic to chlorine.
Watch this report on Belgium's organic swimming pool—it's sure to inspire your next dip:
