HOW TO BEATH THE (TRICHLOR) CHLORINE SHORTAGE

Are you concerned about the chlorine shortage you’ve been hearing about in the news? Learn more about the shortage and how you can keep your pool sanitized, safe, and looking good this pool season.

To start, let’s talk about the specifics of the shortage. There was a major fire at one of the country’s largest trichlor producing plants in 2020 after it was damaged by Hurricane Laura. With this plant off-line, a shortage of trichloroisocyanuric (also known as trichlor tablets) is affecting markets throughout the United States. The shortage will have little impact on pools and aquatic facilities using Sodium Hypochlorite (commonly called liquid bleach) or Calcium Hypochlorite (commonly called Cal-Hypo) tablets or powder. Manufactures of both of these products have confirmed that stock levels and long term availability are stable.

SAFETY WARNING – Never mix different types of chlorine together. When adding a chlorine product to a feeder, only use the type of chlorine approved by the feeder manufacturer. Mixing even small quantities of different types of chlorine could result in an explosion.

If you have a pool or aquatic facility affected by the trichlor shortage, there are options for easing the pain of the shortage and even solving the problem altogether.

If you have a commercial pool

Upgrade to a Calcium Hypochlorite (aka Cal-hypo) feeder system such as the Pulsar Infinity system. $$-$$$

Cal-Hypo feeders are readily available at this time but don’t delay as we expect demand to rise as outdoor temperatures rise and pools in the northern half of the United States begin to see increased use.

Cal-Hypo tablets are also readily available and do not contain cyanuric acid which saves money from wasteful drain and fills that are used to lower CYA levels in pool water.

Converting to Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid bleach) is also an option if site conditions allow. (Available space in the filter room, access for bulk delivery, and a minimum of 150 gallons of liquid storage capacity.) $$$
Install a chemical controller to monitor and adjust the chemical levels automatically. Tremendous reductions in chemical usage can be achieved by using this equipment. We highly recommend that every commercial facility utilize this technology for its public health safety and risk management benefits. $$$-$$$$

If you have a residential pool

Convert to a Saline Chlorination System. (AKA salt water pool) $$$
Reduce your pools need for chlorine by adding a secondary means of sanitation such as Sphagnum Moss ($), Ozone Systems ($$$), and UV ($$$).
Run chlorine residuals at a lower level, 1.5 ppm-2.0 ppm, and supplement as needed with liquid or granular chlorine. (Be sure to safely and properly add the liquid or granular chlorine to your pool water – NEVER mix types of chlorine in your feeder system or in a container. In fact, we recommend that avoid storing different types of chlorine near each other to avoid accidental mixing.)

Here are some additional options that apply to both commercial and residential pools:

Check the media in your pool filter, and change it if needed. This includes sand, cartridge, D.E. and RMF. A clean efficient filter will remove contaminants before they enter the pool water, reducing the need for chlorine. (The cost can differ widely as there are so many types and sizes of filters, $-$$$$.)
Sand filters can be converted to AFM (activated filter media) glass for maximum efficiency. ($$-$$$$ depending on amount of material needed.)
Monitor chemical levels closely and do not allow residuals to climb above what is needed.

Wondering what these options might cost? Reference the $ signs next to the option and check below for an approximate idea of the costs of the option as of May 2021 in the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area.

$ = less than $500

$$ = less than $1,000

$$$ = less than $5,000

$$$$ = more than $5,000