Infinity edge pools are the ultimate statement of luxury. The smooth spillover effect gives the illusion that your pool extends forever, blending water and sky into one seamless view. But what happens when that stunning design is built without one of its most critical components — the catch basin?
Unfortunately, we recently came across a pool that looked like a dream but functioned like a disaster. The builder had created an infinity edge without a proper basin — and the results were as bad as you’d imagine.
What Is a Catch Basin, and Why Is It Essential?
A catch basin (also known as a surge tank) is a vital part of any infinity edge pool system. When water flows over the edge, it must go somewhere. The basin collects that overflow and pumps it back into the pool through a circulation system.
Without a properly designed basin, the system simply can’t work the way it’s supposed to.
What Went Wrong
In this particular case, the pool was built with:
- No surge basin or dedicated holding tank
- A shallow trough that couldn’t handle the overflow
- A pump system that constantly sucked in air and overheated
- An uneven edge that caused water to pour out from one corner
- Water loss so severe that the auto-fill system couldn’t keep up
At first glance, it looked like a modern infinity pool. In reality, it was a constant maintenance nightmare.
The Damage Adds Up
Here’s what the homeowner experienced in just a few months:
- Sky-high water bills from constant refilling
- Pump failure due to cavitation and dry running
- Noise issues from water hammering into a shallow drain
- Algae growth and debris buildup where water collected improperly
- Soil erosion and potential structural damage near the edge
A missing basin doesn’t just affect water flow — it compromises the entire pool system.
So What’s the Fix?
To restore this pool to proper working condition, here are the necessary steps:
- Design and install a custom surge basin below the spillover edge
- Re-plumb the circulation system to properly capture and return overflow water
- Re-level the infinity edge for even water flow (yes, this requires some demolition)
- Replace damaged equipment and optimize the hydraulic balance
This fix isn’t cheap — but once completed, it will turn a broken system into a showpiece. And it’s a reminder that cutting corners in pool construction always costs more in the long run.
The Bottom Line
Infinity edge pools demand precision and experience. A vanishing edge without a basin isn’t innovative — it’s a design failure.
If you’re planning to build or renovate an infinity edge pool, trust experts who understand the engineering behind the beauty.
