# How do those infinity pools work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 25, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-infinity-pools-work/323345 "2005-09-25T16:55:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-infinity-pools-work/323345/1 "2005-09-25T16:55:13Z")
I"ve never seen one in person, only on TV and the movies. [Does the water flow over the edge?](http://www.villa-info.net/locations/30/1654/2_infinity_pool.jpg) Maybe the use [special paint?](http://www.selecthotels.com/uploads/43_Pita-Mahas-Infinity-Pool.jpg) Does it always have to be on the edge of a [visual cliff?](http://www.trecointernational.com/pics/Infinity%20pool.gif) Could someone shove them into these 30x15 postage stamps we got here in Brooklyn? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-infinity-pools-work/323345/2 "2005-09-25T17:10:31Z")
Do you have to wait an eternity after eating? ---
**Author:** ![katie1341](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@katie1341](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katie1341)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-infinity-pools-work/323345/3 "2005-09-25T17:40:11Z")
There is a containment pool over the edge that recirculates the water back into the pool. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-infinity-pools-work/323345/4 "2005-09-25T17:54:48Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Could someone shove them into these 30x15 postage stamps we got here in Brooklyn? Looks like they come as small as [6 X 10.](http://www.poolwarehouse.com/infinitypools.html) Not sure how much extra space you need for filters and pumps and jets, but they are specifically designed for teeny spaces. ---
**Author:** ![douglips](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@douglips](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/douglips)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-infinity-pools-work/323345/5 "2005-09-25T18:19:00Z")
I don’t think you guys are talking about the same thing. The OP appears to be talking about pools that go right up to the edge of their container, so that it looks like you are at the top of a waterfall. WhyNot appears to be talking about pools that have a jet of water in them, so you can swim in one direction, sort of a water treadmill. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-infinity-pools-work/323345/6 "2005-09-25T18:28:36Z")
> [@douglips](#): > > WhyNot appears to be talking about pools that have a jet of water in them, so you can swim in one direction, sort of a water treadmill. :smack: Yes, that’s what I was talking about. Brand name “Infinity Pool”. Sorry if it wasn’t what you were looking for. I’ve never heard of/seen the kind of pool you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![BoringDad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ad7895/32.png) [@BoringDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoringDad)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-infinity-pools-work/323345/7 "2005-09-25T19:59:25Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I"ve never seen one in person, only on TV and the movies. [Does the water flow over the edge?](http://www.villa-info.net/locations/30/1654/2_infinity_pool.jpg) Maybe the use [special paint?](http://www.selecthotels.com/uploads/43_Pita-Mahas-Infinity-Pool.jpg) Does it always have to be on the edge of a [visual cliff?](http://www.trecointernational.com/pics/Infinity%20pool.gif) > > Could someone shove them into these 30x15 postage stamps we got here in Brooklyn? **Katie1341** seems to have answered the question of how they work (Yes, the water does flow over the edge, gets collected and pumped back into the pool.) As for does it always have to be the edge of a visual cliff… it wouldn’t have to, but what would be the point if it didn’t? You can’t enter or exit the pool over the edge the water is flowing over. If it doesn’t face off a cliff, then you’d have to have a ditch next to one side of the pool for the water to flow into. Nice place for people to fall in! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-infinity-pools-work/323345/9 "2020-03-21T06:22:34Z")
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