5 surprising discoveries about natural water systems for your home

Have you ever wondered why we treat water in such a complicated way at home? We pump it, we use it, we discharge it… and that’s it.

Yet when you look at how it works in nature—rivers, lakes, wetlands—you realize there’s another possible path.

A simpler approach, healthier, and honestly much more beautiful. That’s exactly what Groupe O offers with our constructed wetland wastewater treatment solutions and our natural pools. And trust me, it’s going to surprise you.

1. What if your septic tank became a garden?

Seriously, imagine this: instead of an old buried tank that smells bad, you’d have a lovely green space with flowering plants. That’s exactly the idea behind constructed wetland treatment.

Planted basins filter your wastewater naturally. Plants and micro-organisms work together to break down pollutants. Water passes through different layers and—just like that—it comes out clean. Without a single gram of chemicals.

phytoépuration phytostation InphytO

At InphytO by Groupe O, we call them PhytoStations®. They’re perfect for homes that aren’t connected to the main sewer system. And honestly, they turn a technical constraint into something beautiful that enhances your property.

2. A pool without chlorine? Yes, it’s possible!

Imagine swimming in pure, living water, without that slight sting of chlorine in your eyes. Without that chemical smell on your skin. It really exists.

Biological pools take inspiration from rivers to recreate a true little ecosystem. Filtration happens naturally, supplemented by UV sterilization. The result: crystal-clear water, soft to the touch.

piscine Obiopool sans chlore

With O bioPool, pools are CHLORINE-FREE, SALT-FREE and BROMINE-FREE. What’s more, they can be built from 100% French solid wood, making them ultra-durable. Swimming pleasure, nature’s way.

3. Eco-friendly AND cost-effective: up to 90% savings!

Let’s be honest: a lot of people think being eco-friendly automatically costs more. Well—think again.

With a biological pool, you can save up to 90% on your electricity bill, 50% on water, and 75% on maintenance. Yes, you read that right.

piscine sans chlore écologique

And if you use solid wood, it acts as a natural insulator. It retains the sun’s heat, which extends your swimming season. So not only is it good for the planet—it’s also a smart long-term choice for your wallet.

4. Wood under water? It can last for centuries!

It may sound crazy, but building a wooden pool and keeping it permanently filled with water is actually an excellent idea.

Why? Because submerged wood simply doesn’t rot.

BioPoolTech uses Douglas fir and Accoya, woods that are ultra-stable under water.

And this isn’t new: Venice and Marseille have been built on wooden piles for centuries, and they’re still holding up. Wooden shipwrecks recovered after hundreds of years? They’re often in perfect condition.

Venice on piles wood preservation

The takeaway? The most durable solutions aren’t always the most high-tech.

5. Create your own water cycle at home

What if we went even further? What if all the water in your home followed a virtuous cycle, just like in nature?

That’s the idea behind Infinit’O™ by Groupe O. The concept is to connect everything: collect rainwater, filter it naturally, store it, and reuse it for everything—showers, irrigation, natural pool.

Projet maison autonomie

Once the water has completed its full cycle, it returns clean to the groundwater.

All of it managed by an intelligent system that anticipates your needs. Your home becomes a living organism, in harmony with its environment.

Want to learn more about rainwater harvesting? Click here!

In short: nature does it better than we do

All these insights point to the same truth: nature has already found the best solutions. All we have to do is observe it and draw inspiration from it.

Biomimicry isn’t just a trendy buzzword. It’s a real philosophy for designing our homes differently—in harmony with ecosystems, not against them.

Next time you take a walk near a stream or a wetland, look at it differently. You might just see the solutions for a greener future.

Your questions, our answers

Does phytopurification take up a lot of space?

Not that much. For a family of 6 (6 EH), allow for approximately 18 m²: 10 m² for the vertical filter and 8 m² for the horizontal filter, plus a little space around it for maintenance. InphytO offers solutions suitable for 3 to 20 people.

Absolutely! Once filtered, the water can be used for underground irrigation or to water your garden. You save water and close the cycle at home. Smart, isn’t it?

No, no. Wastewater is continuously treated in filters, so it never stagnates. That means no mosquitoes and no odors. It’s well designed!

It depends on the number of people in your household (in “equivalent inhabitants” or EI). For example, if there are two of you but the house can accommodate four people, it is better to size for four. This anticipates future changes. InphytO will help you choose and install the solution that suits you best.