MINNEAPOLIS, July 25 (UPI) -- The nation's first naturally-filtered, chemical-free public pool opened Friday in Minneapolis.
The Webber Natural Swimming Pool boasts an organic filtration system which pumps pool water through a system of biological filters -- including 7,000 aquatic plants. The result of a four-year project and $6 million in funding, the pool features a traditional shallow and deep end as well as a deeper section with a jumping platform and lap lanes.
The pool has a capacity of up to 500 people and is capable of holding over 500,000 gallons of water. The natural filtration system -- which filters water through plants and gravel -- pumps through all of the pool's liquid contents every 12 hours.
Visitors to the pool can swim for free, although some strict rules are set to keep the system running smoothly. "This unique water management system is more sensitive than a traditional, chemically treated pool and will require cooperation from the public to stay open," Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board said in a statement.
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Outside food or drinks, tobacco, pets and glass are prohibited from the pool area while swimmers are limited to wearing nylon, silicon, latex, Lycra and polyester swimwear.
According to the CDC, there are between 4,000 and 5,000 pool chemical-related emergency room visits every year. The city's Parks and Recreation superintendent, Jayne Miller, told Upworthy that being good stewards of public land and water is consistent with the city's mission.
As for the incorporation of more natural pools, Miller predicts that there will be more in North America after Webber's debut: "You do something new and innovative like this," she said, "there are risks."
"But we're getting a ton of coverage on this nationally, and a lot of people are paying attention," she continued. "I suspect this will be the beginning of many more natural pools in the U.S."
