Swimming pond with a wooden jetty and seating area, house in the background

Water in the garden that cleans itself

Swimming, ornamental and koi ponds turnkey. We design zones according to the plot, build a base that lasts for decades, and plant the banks so the water stays clean without chemicals.

I would like a pond design How a garden pond works
Without chemicalscleans plants and gravel
Zoning designfree of charge after an on-site survey at your premises
One teamconstruction, planting and maintenance

Which pond suits your garden?

Each type has a different ratio of water, plants and equipment. We will help you choose based on what you expect from the pond, how much space you have and how much maintenance you are willing to undertake.

Swimming pond with a wooden jetty and seating area next to the house

Swimming pond

Swimming in soft water without chlorine. A swimming zone approximately two metres deep, purified by plants in the shallow regeneration area.

All about swimming ponds
Natural biotope with a grass island and wooden footbridge

Swimming biotope

The most natural form of water in the garden. More plants, shallower banks, gentle entries and life around the water all year round.

What is a swimming biotope
Koi carp in crystal-clear water above a stony bottom

Koi pond

Fish pond construction: depth, bottom drains, drum filter and UV. Crystal-clear water where every fish is visible.

Koi ponds and filtration

Why pond water does not go bad

A properly designed pond functions like a miniature lake: each zone has its own role. When depths, area ratios and materials are correct, the water stays clean without chemicals.

Cross-section of a swimming pond The shallow regeneration zone with plants and gravel transitions into a two-metre-deep swimming zone. The entire bottom is lined with foil on protective geotextile. Water circulates via a skimmer and pump. 0,6 m2,0 m regeneration zoneswimming zonepond liner on geotextile 1 2 3 4
  • Regeneration zone, 0 to 80 cm. Gravel bed with wetland plants. Roots and microorganisms remove nutrients, so algae have nothing to grow on. For a swimming pond, this takes up roughly half the area.
  • Swimming zone, approx. 2 m. Depth keeps the water cool in summer and protects life under the ice in winter. Steep walls prevent overgrowth; access is provided by steps, a jetty or a gentle beach slope.
  • Liner on geotextile. Pond liner at least 1 mm thick (PVC or EPDM) laid on protective geotextile. Welded seams, no folds; stones and gravel cover the liner to protect it from sunlight.
  • Skimmer and pump. The surface skimmer removes leaves and pollen before they sink to the bottom. The pump drives water through the regeneration zone, optionally via a drum filter and UV unit for koi ponds.

From the first meeting to your first swim

Building a garden pond combines earthworks, waterproofing, technical installation and landscaping in one. We manage the project from start to finish so you don't have to worry about where one team ends and another begins.

Survey and consultation

We will arrive, inspect the plot, measure the slope, access for machinery and sunlight exposure. We will ask how you intend to use the water.

Zoning design and budget estimate

You will receive a plan with depths, a plant list and an itemised budget. The price is final; additional charges only by agreement.

Excavation and shaping

An excavator digs out the zones; we finish terraces and banks by hand. The soil is used for landscaping the surroundings or removed.

Liner and equipment

Geotextile, liner, welding of joints and tightness test. Installation of skimmer, pump, optionally filter and UV.

Stone, gravel, plants

Stone banks, gravel beds and planting according to zones. Filling, equipment adjustment and handover with seasonal instructions.

The entire process step by step

What to know before we start digging

The most common mistakes in DIY-built ponds become apparent only during reconstruction: shallow bottoms that turn green in summer, liners exposed to sunlight, incorrect zone ratios, and missing skimmers. Most of these can be corrected only by replacing the liner. That is why we prefer to dedicate time to the design phase.

Renovation and cleaning of existing ponds we do as well.

  • Permits. Up to 40 m2 for a detached house and 2 m from the boundary without notification. We notify larger ponds on your behalf.
  • Size. Swimming ponds are typically between 50 and 70 m2. Ornamental ponds work from just a few square metres.
  • Depth. Swimming area around 2 m, regeneration zone up to 80 cm. Shallow water heats up quickly.
  • Timing. We build from spring to autumn. Plants establish best from May to September.
  • Water. Filling from a well or river. Approximately 25 cm of evaporation is replenished annually.
  • Winter. We winterise the equipment and trim the plants. Fish overwinter under the ice at a depth of more than 1.2 m.

Most frequently asked questions

How large must a swimming pond be?

For the water to self-clean and be suitable for swimming, plan for a surface area of 50 to 70 m2. Roughly half is occupied by a shallow regeneration zone with plants, the other half by a swimming section about 2 metres deep. We can build smaller ponds with technical filtration that takes over part of the work done by the plants.

Do I need a building permit for a garden pond?

A pond or pool up to 40 m2 at a detached house, located at least 2 metres from the property boundary, is classified under the Building Act as a minor structure requiring neither a permit nor notification. Larger ponds generally require notification; those exceeding 300 m3 or featuring inflow and outflow also require a statement from the water authority. Each authority assesses cases slightly differently, so we will verify your specific situation for you.

How is a garden pond cleaned without chemicals?

Nutrients are removed from the water by wetland plants and microorganisms settled in the gravel bed of the regeneration zone. Water circulates between zones via a pump, while a skimmer collects coarse debris before it sinks to the bottom. This prevents algae growth. No chlorine or other chemicals are used.

What is the lifespan of a pond liner?

We use pond liners with a thickness of at least 1 mm (PVC or EPDM), laid on protective geotextile. Manufacturers typically provide a warranty of 10 years or more, while the actual service life is often many times longer, provided the liner is not exposed to sunlight or mechanical damage. Therefore, we always cover it with gravel and stones.

How much work does maintenance involve?

In spring, sludge removal from the bottom and trimming of plants; during the season, occasional leaf removal and water top-up; in autumn, installation of a leaf net and winterisation of equipment. If you do not wish to deal with any of this, we will take it over. service us.

Swimming pond or swimming pool?

A pond is a living ecosystem: chlorine-free water, plants, a natural appearance all year round and lower running costs. A pool offers constant temperature, crystal-clear water and a smaller footprint. If you prefer a pool, our colleagues will build it for you. novybazen.cz.

Send us your garden dimensions and we will return a proposal.

Just a few details. We will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your expectations for the water feature and arrange a free survey.