Where Blue Meets Green: Pools Shaped By Nature
One of the unfortunate side effects of pools, has been that despite their refreshing coolness and tranquillity on a hot day, pools invariably end up leaving you salty or with other residue all over you, necessitating a full shower or bath directly after you leave the water. What if it didn’t have to be this way? Join Sydney Pool + Outdoor Design’s Belinda Coleman as she speaks with Trent Roberts, owner of Scape Pools about the unique benefits of mineral pools.
Roberts didn’t start in pools. It wasn’t even on his mind when he started his career in landscape construction and worked his way up to owning his own landscaping business. But, as he grew his connections and collaborations, a lot of highly regarded Landscape Architects and skilled pool builders among them, he began to pick up the tools of the trade and discovered an inner passion for pools.
Eventually Roberts found the opportunity to specialise and transition slowly into pool building. The gradual evolution culminated in the opening of Scape Pools, a pool company that does so much more than pools and, as the name would suggest, focuses on both pools and their surrounding landscape. Roberts puts it best when he says “we now focus on designing and building custom pools that work seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.”
This dual interest goes a long way to explaining why Scape pools was an early proponent of the Magna Mineral pool sanitation as an alternative to traditional salt chlorinated pools, with Scape Pools promoting and installing them for more than 15 years.
A GROWING TREND
Roberts explained that “Demand for mineral pools has grown as more people look for healthier and more convenient pool options.”
At its root, “a mineral pool is still a chlorine-based sanitising system, but instead of using regular salt, it uses a special blend of minerals (mainly magnesium and potassium). Those minerals are dissolved in the pool water, and the system’s cell converts them into the chlorine needed to keep the pool water sanitised,” Roberts explains.
Mineral pools are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners who want a simpler, more enjoyable swimming experience. According to Roberts, “One of the main reasons is convenience. Modern mineral pool systems feature smart controllers that are easy to set up and manage from your phone. This makes monitoring and maintaining your pool quick and straightforward, taking much of the guesswork out of maintenance.” Mineral sanitation is also gentler on the skin. Magnesium acts as a natural flocculant and helps keep the water clear while reducing the need for harsh chemicals. As a result, swimmers often experience fewer skin irritations, and the water feels noticeably softer and silkier. “It’s this combination of easy maintenance and a more comfortable, skin-friendly swim that’s driving the rise in mineral pools,” says Roberts
HEALTHY WATER, HEALTHY POOL
Believe it or not, mineral-infused pool systems are great for pool equipment. Maintenance is easier and simpler because your pool system isn’t being exposed to harsh chemicals and being scummed up by salt residue. The soft water that gives the “premium, spa-like experience” Roberts raves about is also softer on your pool itself, making the investment well worth it over time.
Not only can these pools be fitted with automated systems that make maintenance easier, but there’s also “less corrosion on equipment, extending the life of pool components.”
Due to the clearer water, mineral systems pair beautifully with natural stone, travertine, and lightcoloured finishes because these features help highlight the clarity. Contemporary materials like sleek tiles and pebbled finishes also complement the premium, spa-like feel that mineral pools provide.
HEALTHY WATER, HEALTHY SKIN
But where mineral pools really differ from traditional chlorine or standard saltwater pools is in the water quality and the way it feels.
Roberts says that Mineral water is “gentler on skin, eyes, and hair.” He adds that “the spa like feeling of a mineral pool comes from the combination of softer, smoother water and balanced mineral content. It feels gentler on the skin and eyes, reduces irritation, and creates a more luxurious, soothing swimming experience compared to a standard chlorine pool.” Additionally, there is no salty residue. “Most people notice the difference immediately,” Roberts said.
Roberts adds that “what I love most is helping homeowners transform their backyard into a luxurious, relaxing space that reflects their lifestyle. Mineral pools are truly special because the water is softer, gentler, and spa-like, making every swim more comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable compared to a standard pool.”
REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE.
But where Roberts’ greatest experience as both a landscaper and a pool builder comes to play strongest is in his understanding of the effects his mineral system has on the surrounding natural flora and fauna. Roberts explained that because mineral pools are 100 percent salt-free, “it won’t harm surrounding plants, grass, or landscaping.”
In fact, while he emphasises that there is less water waste in general with a mineral pool, with their filtration systems requiring less backwashing, he adds that, “unlike traditional salt or chlorine pools, the backwash water can be reused for garden irrigation when diluted, as it contains beneficial minerals instead of harmful salts.”
Mineral pools are much kinder on plants as magnesium helps keep the water clear naturally, reducing the need for chemical treatments and lowering environmental harm.
Images courtesy of Scape Pools