This CA quit his practice to make natural swimming pools; annual revenues at Rs1.5 crore

When Vikash Kumar M saw his children’s love for swimming pools, he got worried because all the pools were full of chlorine. The chemical is added to swimming pools to kill bacteria and prevent algae growth, but it can harm the skin, hair, and respiratory tract of humans.

Weary of the traditional pools, the Coimbatore-based chartered accountant (CA) decided to create a bio pool for his family to enjoy the water without any health hazards.

Taking inspiration from his trips to European countries, and after having multiple conversations with international industry experts, Vikash created the first biological pool at his farmhouse in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu. 

Bio pools, also called natural swimming pools, use aquatic plants and biological filters to clean the water. They preserve ecological balance and are designed to be sustainable and eco-friendly. 

Vikash’s passion for sustainable and safe waterscapes has resulted in a Rs 1.5 crore-strong business of creating chemical-free natural swimming pools that can be enhanced by streams, cascades, and fountains.

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From CA to sustainable entrepreneurship

“I completed my chartered accountancy in 2004 and was running my practice till the idea to turn bio pools into a full-fledged business came to my mind. I then exited my CA practice,” says the 42-year-old nature lover.

The groundwork for his startup Biosphere Nature Pools was laid six years ago, but it started actively taking up projects in 2022.  It specialises in creating modern biological waterscapes that are a welcome relief from the traditional chemical pools. 

The natural swimming pool market size was valued at 3.5 billion dollars in 2023 and is expected to reach 3.94 billion dollars by the end of 2030, according to research by Verified Market Reports.

Biosphere sets up waterscapes in their client’s backyard, closely mimicking the natural streams, ponds, and other water bodies.

“We are not just setting up bio pools. We are trying to bring a piece of Mother Nature into our clients’ backyards,” he says.

“With the help of technology, we are offering a miniature version of what you see on the Himalayas or inside a dense forest,” says Vikash, passionate about organic farming and trekking.

While such structures are already prevalent internationally, biopools are a newer concept in India. “Many people have tried to build waterscapes but failed due to the climatic differences,” says Vikash.

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After some trials and errors, the company’s R&D team has fine-tuned a system that works well for the Indian climatic conditions. 

Designing a natural swimming pool

After discussing the design and features with the client, the company builds water facilities from scratch. The designing and sourcing usually take two months, and the execution is carried out in 20 to 45 days.  

The water structures built by Biosphere are completely organic and self-sustainable.  

They avoid using man-made materials such as steel, cement, plaster, etc. to give the structures a more realistic feel and keep them eco-friendly. The company relies on natural forms such as soil, rock, and good bacteria.

The physical raw materials such as water, soil, rocks, and stones are sourced locally depending on the location. The electrical equipment such as water filters and lights are imported from German company OASE - a global supplier of solutions for water gardens and fountain technology.

“The imported water filters are more power efficient than the local ones,” explains Vikash, adding that, unlike traditional pools, bio pools need 24/7 filtration.

“Bio pools are a fusion of science, art and technology. Just like nature keeps the streams and water bodies clean, we try to recreate the same with technology,” he says.

The company offers various waterscapes including large-scale open ponds, partially or fully planted ponds, ponds with fountains or streams, Koi ponds, and large natural aquariums. All the projects are custom-built, based on the location, client’s demands, and available resources.

Biosphere charges around Rs3500 per sq ft. The average cost of waterscapes spanning 500 sq ft comes to around Rs20 to Rs30 lakh whereas a 1,000 sq ft structure costs Rs35 lakh to Rs45 lakh. The price goes up with the addition of more features.

Maintenance of bio pools

The water in these ponds is clean enough for one to drink. The waterscapes are closed systems and the team takes extra care to prevent the intrusion of external water or other foreign elements.

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The quantity of good bacteria and algae introduced in the pond has to be maintained. Apart from offering assistance, the company also trains the owners on maintenance. 

“You need to consider these waterscapes as your baby who needs extra care and guidance during the initial years. From the third year, these are almost self-sustainable,” says Vikash.

Comparing the bio pools with the traditional chemical pools, Vikash says that the water from bio pools doesn’t need to be replaced ever while chemical pools require full replacement every year. “Moreover, the water from bio pools can be used for irrigation unlike that of the chemical pools which kill the plants,” he adds.

The natural pools can be set up at any location with adequate groundwater supply. The team, however, introduces RO water if there are hard water issues at a location. The initial set-up requires 5,000 to 50,000 litres of water, depending on the project size.

Biosphere has a small in-house data and tech team consisting of five people. They hire local labourers to reduce on-site costs. Over the last two years, the company has completed residential projects in the southern region across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It is currently working on two commercial projects -- a township in Ludhiana, and a resort in Goa.

Vikash says the company receives strong demand from people who have travelled abroad and seen such structures. “There are ideas available on YouTube and Pinterest, people just don't know who to approach yet,” he says.

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“However, the more projects we do, the more people learn about it. It's more about reaching the customer than convincing them,” Vikash adds.

Biosphere receives customer queries directly from online platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. While Biosphere generated annual revenue of Rs1.5 crore last fiscal, Vikash expects the figure to cross Rs2.5 crore next year.

The company also plans to launch a first-of-its-kind white sand freshwater pool. “We have already started trials for the same,” he says.

On the challenges, Vikash says, “In this industry, every project is unique, there is no copy-pasting. We must fine-tune our work according to the site’s climate, soil, and water conditions,” he says. That’s precisely why Biosphere works on one project at a time.

“At the same time, it is fun and eliminates competition. It will take people a long time and research to get to a place where they can make such installations work,” he adds.

(Riya Singh is a Ranchi-based journalist who writes on environment, farming, sustainability, startups, & women empowerment)

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