GrowBros brand · Natural pools & ponds
Pools. Ponds. Living spaces.
Chlorine-free natural swimming pools, koi ponds and water gardens, designed and built for Kashmir. Crystal water cleaned by plants and biology, not chemicals — for your home, your homestay or your hotel.
Rethinking how we experience water

Natural swimming pools
Chlorine-free pools with a planted regeneration zone. Swim in soft, living water.

Koi ponds
Deep, engineered ponds with pro filtration that keep koi healthy through winter.

Garden & wildlife ponds
Naturalistic ponds, bog gardens and streams that bring birds, frogs and dragonflies home.

Water features
Waterfalls, rills, reflecting pools and chadar-style cascades for courtyards and lawns.
A pool that cleans itself
A natural pool has two parts: a swimming zone and a regeneration zone. Water is gently pumped through a gravel biofilter and a bed of aquatic plants. The plants take up the nutrients algae would feed on, and beneficial bacteria break down everything else. Nothing is added; nothing needs to be dosed.
- No chlorine, no chemicals — no red eyes, dry skin, bleached swimwear or chemical smell
- Soft, living water that feels like a mountain lake
- Beautiful all year — a planted pond in winter, not an empty concrete hole under a cover
- Lower running costs — one efficient pump and no chemical bill
- Safe for children and pets to splash in, and for birds to drink from
Why owners are switching
| Living Pool | Conventional chlorine pool | |
|---|---|---|
| Water treatment | Plants, gravel biofilter and bacteria; optional UV | Chlorine or salt dosing, pH chemicals |
| Swimmer comfort | Soft, odour-free water, kind to skin and eyes | Chemical smell, irritation for sensitive swimmers |
| Running cost | One efficient pump; no chemical bill | Pumps, heaters and a monthly chemical bill |
| In winter | Stays full and planted; a landscape feature under snow | Drained or covered; freeze damage risk |
| Ecology | Habitat for dragonflies, frogs and birds | Sterile; wildlife is a problem |
| Look | Natural stone, planting, blends into the garden | Blue tiles and hardscape |
Koi ponds engineered for a Kashmir winter
Koi live for decades. A good koi pond is a life-support system as much as a garden feature. We build them properly from the ground up.
Depth & bottom drains
- Deep enough to stay liquid below winter ice
- Bottom drains that carry waste straight to the filter
- Smooth, fish-safe liners and edges
Pro filtration
- Drum or combi mechanical filtration
- Moving-bed biological filtration in virgin food-grade media
- UV clarifier for green-water control
- Continuous-duty pumps rated for 24/7 running
Winter-safe
- Air diffuser at mid-depth, never on the bottom, so the warm layer stays put
- Floating ice vent keeps gas exchange open
- Battery back-up for aeration during power cuts
Safe electrics
- 30 mA RCCB protection on every circuit
- Proper earth pit and bonding
- IP68 12 V underwater lighting
Built-in resilience
- Spare pump and UV lamp kept in Srinagar
- Components chosen for local service, not just price
- Commissioning log handed over with the pond
Fish & care
- Guidance on stocking and sourcing healthy koi
- Seasonal feeding and water-testing plans
- Maintenance contracts available
Homes, homestays and hotels
Home owners
- A private swimming pond or koi pond in your own garden
- Safe, chemical-free water for the whole family
- A feature that adds value and beauty to the property
- Designed to your plot, from compact courtyards to large lawns
Airbnbs & homestays
- A signature "wild swimming" experience guests book for
- The most photographed spot on your listing
- Low running costs and no chemicals to store or handle
- Looks good all year, even in the off season
Hotels & resorts
- Large natural pools, koi water gardens and lobby water features
- A clear sustainability story for eco-conscious travellers
- Landscape-scale water design that fits the mountain setting
- Annual maintenance contracts so your team can focus on guests
From idea to first swim
Site visit
We survey the plot, levels, sunlight, soil and water supply.
Design
A concept, a 3D view and a clear scope and quote.
Build
Excavation, liner, stonework, filtration and electrics.
Plant & fill
Aquatic planting, commissioning and a water-quality check.
Care
Handover, seasonal service and winterisation.
Construction season in the valley runs from spring to autumn. Book your site visit early to build before the first frost.
Good questions
How is the water kept clean without chlorine?
Water circulates from the swimming zone through a planted regeneration zone and gravel biofilter. Plants take up nutrients that algae would feed on, and beneficial bacteria break down organic matter. We can add a UV clarifier for extra clarity.
Is it safe to swim in?
Yes. Natural pools are designed so the water is continuously filtered and oxygenated. As with any water body, we recommend a simple water test each season, which we can do for you under a maintenance plan.
Won't it attract mosquitoes?
Moving, circulating water discourages mosquitoes, and a living pool quickly attracts dragonflies, frogs and fish that eat their larvae.
What happens in winter?
A living pool is never drained. The planted zone rests, the surface may freeze, and the pond becomes a snow-covered garden feature. Koi ponds are built deep enough and aerated at mid-depth with an ice vent so fish overwinter safely.
Will the water be green?
A short "settling in" period is normal while the plants and biology establish. After that, a correctly sized regeneration zone and filter keep the water clear. Algae on stones is natural and part of a healthy system.
How much space do I need?
Garden ponds and koi ponds fit most plots. A natural swimming pool needs room for both the swimming and planted zones; we will advise on what your site allows during the visit.
Do you maintain what you build?
Yes. We offer seasonal servicing, winterisation and annual maintenance contracts across the Kashmir valley.
Let's design your living pool
Send us a few photos of your space on WhatsApp and we'll arrange a site visit.