People are continuing to seek out greener, cleaner, eco-friendlier ways to live, including with their backyard swimming pools. After all, chlorine has been linked to asthma as well as other respiratory problems and various types of cancer. For that reason, homeowners and business owners are looking for ways to eliminate (or at least reduce) the use of chlorine in pools. If this is something you're interested in, here are a few options:

Salt Water Pool

Unlike chlorinated and filtered swimming pools, the ocean has a natural composition of saline that keeps things in balance without having to use artificial chemicals. This can be brought home by turning your backyard swimming pool into a salt water pool. A saline pool will use table salt and a chlorine generator cell to create a process that will turn the salt into an acid or chlorine (naturally) that will help to eliminate bacteria and algae in the water.

A saline oasis like this is basically maintenance-free other than the fact that you'll need to keep the chlorine generator cell clean and sprinkle some salt once a month into the pool. Not only will your pockets thank you, but your skin will as well because salt water is much gentler on your skin than the chlorine.

Ozone Swimming Pool

If you love your existing swimming pool and don't really want to change things up, but you do want to be a little greener, consider upgrading to an ozone sterilization system. This type of pool will use ozone that has been converted from oxygen by electricity, which will reduce or eliminate the need of chemicals.

Ozone has the ability to get rid of pool odors, oxidize and destroy contaminants in the water and kill bacteria and viruses that chlorine cannot. With ozone, you won't have to worry about the calcium build-up that you do with a salt water pool. Keep in mind that the pool water will be much clearer and cleaner, but you'll need to make sure that you keep the filter maintained since it will likely get dirtier faster.

All-Natural Swimming Oasis

If neither of the above options appeal to you, you could consider having your very own swimming hole dug. Natural swimming pools will use lots of plants, similar to that of a lake or pond. This eliminates the need for expensive pumps and filters as well as harmful chlorine because the plants are able to keep the water clean and clear while offering a very relaxing atmosphere. Don't worry about getting mud between your toes because this isn't necessarily the path that you have to take, as you can have a rubber or synthetic liner, concrete or clay bottom. In the end, this type of pool is the closest to natural and green that you can get.

If you're interested in any of the three above-mentioned eco-friendly pools, call a local pool contractor to see how they can help you bring your interest to life.