Chlorine Shortage
What caused the chlorine shortage?
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 created unprecedented demand for pool products. Then, last summer's devastating hurricane in Louisiana damaged the plant in Lake Charles that produces much of the key ingredients used in pool and spa chlorine products for North America. The combination of those two events has resulted in a widespread shortage of chlorine tabs this year.
While the plant is being rebuilt and is expected to reopen next spring, the anticipated strain may limit how many chlorine products are available at pool retailers. Many people are turning to chlorinating liquid as a sanitizer alternative, but no matter what method they are using, all pool owners want to make the most of the supplies they have.
What can I do to maximize my sanitizer product performance?
Sanitizers are primarily designed to attack and kill bacteria and algae, but other conditions in the water can use it up quicker or diminish its effectiveness. Our buddy Enzo recommends a few Natural Chemistry technologies to enhance your chlorine-based program.
Add an enzyme-based product to reduce the demands on chlorine
Enzymes break down non-living waste (like sunscreen, hair products, body oils, pollen and more) that is typically oxidized by higher levels of chlorine or a non-chlorine oxidizer. This means less chlorine needed to maintain the proper 1-4ppm residual.
Pool Perfect® Max™
To avoid extra work, a multi-functional product can remove chlorine-taxing things in the water, help equipment work better and eliminate some of the time needed to clean the pool. Pool Perfect® MAX™ is a premium product that reduces buildup on the filter, removes the phosphates that lead to troublesome water conditions and reduces the need to scrub pool surfaces.
If you’re using liquid chlorine or cal-hypo, add stabilizer to extend its life.
Instant Pool Water Conditioner™
Stabilizer, also known as cyanuric acid (CYA) or conditioner, protects chlorine from being broken down by UV rays form the sun. Maintaining a proper conditioner level in the pool can make it last up to 6 times longer. Instant Pool Water Conditioner is the easiest way to add stabilizer to water! A residual of 30-50 ppm of conditioner is ideal.
