A low-cost structure is for the containment of high clarity water. The structure allows for the purification of water that is used for direct contact recreational purposes. The structure preferably includes a reduced centralized filtration system that has fewer inlets, outlets, skimmers, and filtration water volume rates compared to a conventional swimming pool; a permanently operational water micro-renewal system where micro-leakage points are distributed throughout the inner surface of the structure, a source of high-quality make-up water; a high-frequency skimmer system; and a low-frequency skimmer system that allows for the removal of water from the upper portion of the water volume during rain events or increased renewal events, thereby improving the efficiency of the high-frequency skimmer system.