Nat’l Chlorine Shortage Hits NY/NJ Private & Public Pools as Summer Nears

By Hadassa Kalatizadeh

Summer is at our doorsteps –but homeowners looking forward to their swimming pools and hot tubs may be in for a rude awakening.

As reported by Bloomberg news, there is a severe shortage for the chlorine tablets that are used to kill parasites and prevent algae from growing in pools. The shortage, throughout America, was sparked by a chemical fire at a BioLab plant last August in Louisiana. The fire left the plant inoperable, along with the facility which produces a significant slice of the popular chlorine tablets. There are not many alternative domestic sources to help meet the chlorine demand, and imports from China are impeded by freight issues.

The chlorine shortage, considered to be the worst in American history, is because of the decline in supply capacity, as well as the heightened demand for private pools. The BioLab plant would have probably been able to keep up with the heightened demand if not for the fire, said Stuart Baker, vice president of business development at Hayward Holdings Inc., which makes pool pumps, cleaners and automation equipment. The company, which went public in March, reported that it had close to a 20 percent increase in net sales last year, as the pandemic led to a surge in the construction of new pools, as people opted to upgrade their at-home summer experiences. The company is looking forward to another increase in sales of up to 45 percent this year, as per forecasts.

According to an AP report, as people were stuck at home during the pandemic, they quickly realized that they needed an outlet to feel some sense of normalcy.

As a result, the number of new in-ground residential pools nationwide rose 21% in 2020 compared to 2019. Hot tubs are also in demand, with some areas reporting a 400% increase, according to the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.

The BioLab plant responsible for the popular chlorine tablet is not expected to be back in business before the spring of 2022. Chlorine supplies have skyrocketed in price, which will make it difficult at best for homeowners to maintain their swimming pools. A 50-pound bucket of chlorine tablets costs roughly 50 percent more than last year. A 20-pound bucket, usually used by homeowners, is about 30 percent more expensive, Michael Egeck, chief executive officer of Leslie’s Inc., a pool-products retailer that went public last year, told Bloomberg in a phone interview.

“I call it ‘Poolmageddon.’ It’s a chlorine crisis,” said Rudy Stankowitz, CEO of Aquatic Facility Training & Consultants, who has worked in the industry for over 30 years. “A lot of people are not going to be able to find the chlorine tablets they need this season.” Chlorine is used to prevent and kill alga as well as waterborne illnesses and mosquitos in pools.