We’ve successfully wrapped up another summer in the pool industry, and this one has brought its share of challenges. Following extreme weather events—such as hurricanes and fires—we continue to experience a chlorine tablet shortage. Distribution centers nationwide, especially in the Southwest, are still reporting low or no stock of Trichlor tablets, our mainstay product. Tablets are produced or “pressed” from Trichlor granular, and the outage also affects Dichlor products.
Why Is the Tablet Shortage a Concern?
- Residential Pools: Many homeowners rely on chlorine tablets in floaters for consistent, slow-release chlorination and to maintain conditioner levels in backyard pools.
- Safety Benefits: Properly managed floaters reduce the need for homeowners to handle chemicals, minimizing risks of accidental spills, chemical burns, or children/pets accessing chemicals.
- Locking Lids: Any time you recommend or provide a floater, ensure it has a secure lid to avoid unintentional exposure.
Residential Pool Tips
Advise Clients to remove chemical floaters from the pool during swimming sessions and store them safely out of reach until everyone is finished.
Warning: Never allow tablets or large particles to rest on the plaster; they can stain or damage the surface.
- Floaters left on a shallow top step or seat will damage the plaster over time.
- If you can’t easily find tablets, consider leaving extra liquid chlorine on-site or increasing your weekly chlorination level to compensate.
Commercial Pool Challenges
Commercial pools rely heavily on a consistent supply of Trichlor or other chlorinating tablets for erosion feeders and automated systems. While the supply chain is gradually recovering, many properties still find it difficult to restock tablets at reasonable prices.
Historically, commercial chlorination has evolved from purely manual methods to a variety of systems:
- Tablet erosion feeders
- Liquid chemical feed pumps
- Salt cell chlorination
- Dichlor granular dosing
- Ultraviolet disinfection supplements
More states are moving toward digital feed systems with memory logs of chemical levels. Although these systems are a significant advancement in safety and stability—continuously testing and adjusting chlorine and pH—they still require regular cleaning of sensors, calibration, and monitoring of feed lines.
The Benefits of Chlorination and Automation
- Reduced Labor: Automated systems need less manual testing and adjustment, which is vital for HOAs and commercial facilities with limited on-site staff.
- Compliance: Many county health departments require daily testing and recording. Digital systems can help meet these regulations.
- Surge Management: During peak usage (e.g., parties, high bather loads), salt systems or liquid feeders often require supplemental support—sometimes from tablet erosion feeders—to maintain safe chlorine levels.
- Stable pH Management: Liquid chlorine (pH ~12.7) and Trichlor tablets (pH ~3) can help balance pH when used in tandem.
Installation and Maintenance Best Practices
Whether you use tablet feeders, liquid feed pumps, or salt chlorinators, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Below are key reminders:
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Install Chemical Feed Pumps Correctly:
Never install a liquid chemical feed pump on the line side of a circulation system. If the circulation pump fails or loses prime, you risk injecting concentrated chemicals into a non-flowing system. This can create hazardous conditions for bathers and equipment.
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Nix Chemical Mixing:
Different chemicals should never be mixed in the same feeder or container. This can result in dangerous reactions or explosions.
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Prevent and Prepare for Spills:
Store chemicals securely and keep spill-containment materials (absorbent, broom, dustpan, eyewash station) accessible. Keep Material Data Sheets (MDS) in an easily visible location.
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Protect Containers from the Elements:
Open containers without lids can lead to contamination from rain or sprinkler systems, especially if stored outdoors.
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Feeder Placement:
Never install a feeder on the inlet side of a heater, and place it as far from the heater as possible—ideally at the return line exiting the equipment area.
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Use Check Valves:
Always install a check valve before the feeder line to prevent corrosive backflow from damaging your heater or other equipment.
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Offline Tablet Feeders:
Ensure they are securely mounted. If a feeder is installed incorrectly, you risk leaks and potential chemical backflow into the system.
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Avoid Pressurized Incidents:
Installing a tablet feeder before the filter or on the wrong side of the pump can cause pressure buildup inside the feeder. Opening it under pressure can release hazardous gas and highly concentrated chemicals.
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Handle Rola-Chem Injectors with Care:
Lines can pressurize and squirt out pure chlorine when disconnected for cleaning.
Maintaining a Backup Supply
- While Trichlor tablets are stable when stored properly, they remain in short supply in many regions.
- Keep a limited backup of chemical supplies to handle unforeseen disruptions—weather events, distribution issues, or sudden local shortages.
Key Takeaways for March 2025
- The chlorine tablet shortage persists in some areas, though it’s gradually improving.
- Automation and digital feed systems are increasingly popular and may soon become mandatory in certain commercial applications.
- Proper installation and safety protocols remain critical—chemical mishandling can lead to dangerous conditions and costly liability issues.
Chlorinators and chlorination systems are vital to the pool industry. With responsible management, storage, and operation, we can mitigate risks and continue providing safe, enjoyable water for clients.
