In the last 15 years, the construction and maintenance of swimming ponds have become an important business field of medium-sized horticulture and landscaping companies in Germany . 20 years ago already, the idea was born in Austria to provide swimming facilities free of chemicals. Both the ecological aspect and the reduction of maintenance cost led to the installation of swimming ponds in many European countries and even in Costa Rica, Chile and the USA.

While the assurance of water qualities, e.g. as per Schwimm- und Badebeckenwasserverordnung (swimming and bathing pool water directive) (draft 2001; see Wendorf, 2003; FLL 2003) seems to have been solved by diverse filter systems, new problems arise especially in private facilities regarding the use of plants and the design.