Sandusky once built America's first wave-action pool. It may now build the country's first "natural" swimming pool to replace it. About 10 city and county officials listened to a presentation this week from BioNova, a New Jersey company that builds natural swimming pools in Europe. The eco-friendly pools are cleaned by plants and low-energy filtration systems instead of using chemicals like chlorine.

With the Marina District gone, the city has recently begun looking at best uses for the former Surf's Up wave-action pool property. A natural pool is one option officials are considering. BioNova has built natural public pools in major European cities such as Munich, Germany, and Stockholm, Sweden, which accommodate thousands of people each day.

In the long run natural pools are cheaper than traditional chlorine pools, said James Robyn, the company's owner. City officials said they'd like to compare the prices of other options, though they sounded both optimistic and cautious after the meeting.