Integrating sustainable practices has become fundamental for constructing or renovating modern buildings and, by extension, its aquatic facilities. The benefits of green construction are behind this relevance: through sustainable practices, it’s not only possible to reduce facilities’ environmental impact but also optimize operational efficiency and contribute to building certification requirements.
As such, a thorough understanding of sustainable principles emerges as a top priority for professionals involved in the design, construction, and operation of aquatic facilities. In this way, pool equipment with reduced consumption of energy, water and chemicals, as well as a circular life-cycle, are of utmost importance.
In this context, we provide a comprehensive look at the most important current green construction principles and how to put them into practice.
1. What does green construction in aquatic facilities mean today?
A green construction is a building that in its design, construction or operation reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and that can have positive impacts on our climate and natural environment. Green buildings preserve precious natural resources and improve our quality of life.
There are a number of main features that can make a building green. These include:
- Efficient use of energy, water and other resources
- Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy
- Pollution and waste reduction, and the re-use and recycling of materials
- Good indoor environmental air quality
- Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable
- Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation
- Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation
- A design that adapts to a changing environment
As we can see, these areas of improvement are transversal. So, it’s no secret that aquatic facilities represent an important role in the consumption of resources within building environments. A good example of the broad applications of green construction in pools are variable speed pumps that use less energy, water sanitizers that consume less chemicals or automatic pool covers that prevent water evaporation and reduce thermal loss.
In this context, green building certificates and assessment initiatives are a set of rating systems and tools that are used to assess a building or a construction project’s performance from a sustainability and environmental perspective. Building certification like LEED, BREEAM, and LEVEL have established specific criteria for aquatic facilities, recognizing their potential contribution to overall building sustainability.
This integration of pools into green building frameworks has created new opportunities and challenges for industry professionals.
2. The top 4 sustainable design principles for green construction in swimming pools
Effective sustainable design begins with a holistic approach that considers the facility’s entire lifecycle. This includes careful analysis of site conditions, climate factors, and integration with existing building systems to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact. At the same time, there are two major aspects of swimming pool design that must necessarily guide any green construction solutions:
2.1 Water management systems
Modern water management systems form the core of sustainable pool operations. Advanced filtration technologies, including regenerative media filters, significantly reduce water consumption while maintaining superior water quality.
Water-efficient pool solutions, such as automated water treatment systems, variable-speed pumps, and smart pool covers, contribute to reducing water consumption by minimizing evaporation and optimizing filtration. Rainwater harvesting systems are also an ideal solution to optimize the use of water and use it for multiple purposes within the whole building and its facilities.
The importance of smart systems for real-time tracking of resources. Advanced monitoring helps facility operators manage chemical dosing and filtration cycles effectively, reducing water waste and operational costs.
2.2 Energy efficient technologies
Energy consumption represents one of the largest operational costs in aquatic facilities. For instance, in projects emphasizing green construction, variable frequency drives (VFDs) on pump systems can reduce energy consumption by 30-50% by automatically adjusting pump speed to match actual demand.
Energy-efficient pool heating solutions, including heat pumps and solar pool heaters, also help to reduce overall building energy consumption
Lighting is also a key area in terms of energy. The use of highly efficient LED solutions and a comprehensive study of its space implementation reduces the overall energy consumption of the building.
2.3 Sustainable materials and construction methods
Material selection in green construction requires careful consideration of environmental impact throughout the product’s life cycle, from raw material sourcing, to manufacturing processes, transportation, installation, maintenance, and end-of-life disposal.
An example is Harvard University’s experimental use of green concrete, discussed in the Climate Rising podcast, which offers another layer of sustainability by reducing embedded carbon in construction materials.
Plus, Fluidra’s use of low-VOC adhesives and sealants contributes to better indoor air quality. The company also promotes recyclable materials, design for disassembly, and circular economy principles. Pool basin assembly methods such as Skypool and EPS modules are some great examples.
Pool shell and deck construction choices stand out as available green construction practices today. Modern pool shell construction incorporates advanced concrete formulations that reduce cement content while maintaining structural integrity. At the same time, deck materials selection must balance durability and safety with environmental impact. Permeable paving systems and recycled composite decking materials offer sustainable alternatives to traditional concrete decks while providing excellent slip resistance and thermal performance.
2.4 Operation and maintenance best practices for sustainability
Green construction principles must also take into account comprehensive monitoring and maintenance programs.
On the one hand, regular analysis of energy and water consumption patterns helps identify opportunities for optimization and early detection of system inefficiencies. On the other hand, staff training programs ensure proper implementation of sustainable practices. This includes understanding of system operation, maintenance requirements, and troubleshooting procedures.
3. Understanding certification and compliance in green construction for aquatic facilities
Building certification systems provide structured frameworks for evaluating and validating sustainable construction practices, and should be incorporated early in the design process to ensure efficient integration.
Several internationally recognized certification systems provide different frameworks for assessing and rating the sustainability of buildings. Three prominent examples are:
- LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED evaluates buildings across multiple categories, including water efficiency, energy performance, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
- BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method): originating in the UK, BREEAM is the world’s longest-established method of assessing and certifying the sustainability of buildings.
- LEVEL(s): introduced by the European Commission, LEVEL(s) is a voluntary reporting framework that focuses on aspects such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource efficiency, and lifecycle costs.
4. Return on investment and other key benefits of green construction principles
Initial investments in sustainable pool systems typically show returns through reduced operating costs related to energy-efficient equipment , water conservation measures, and reduced chemical usage, which all contribute to lower monthly expenses.
At a later stage, life-cycle cost analysis demonstrates the long-term financial benefits of sustainable design choices, considering lower maintenance requirements, equipment longevity, and replacement costs.
While these two important measures showcase green construction as economically beneficial, the advantages of green construction transcend them to involve a more holistic understanding of well-designed, high-performance pool facilities. For instance, building certification achievements can enhance property value and market position, while the ability to demonstrate sustainable operations often provides competitive advantages in the commercial and hospitality sectors.
Green construction: a step forward for high-functioning pool facilities
The implementation of green construction principles in aquatic facilities represents a significant opportunity for environmental and operational improvement in any project.
As technological advances and regulatory requirements develop, success requires careful attention to design , material selection , and system integration throughout the project lifecycle. In this context, industry professionals must maintain current knowledge of best practices and emerging technological solutions.
From hospitality pool design, to municipal swimming pools and sports club pools, green construction for aquatic installations manages to strike a balance between environmental responsibility and operational efficiency, serving both current needs and future generations.