Chlorine shortage impacting prices ahead of Memorial Day

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Memorial Day marks the start of summer and for many fun filled days at the pool, but as the holiday approaches this year Michiana residents are facing trouble finding chlorine due to a shortage in product. While the pandemic is partially to blame it’s not the only cause.

“I was in this store right here and where it used to be 3 dollars it’s 6 dollars for a bag," said Tobeter Smith, Osceola Resident.

Limited inventory and price increases. That’s the reality pool owners are diving into this summer as a shortage of chlorine continues to run rampant nationwide.

“everything in our industry is unprecedented right now the demand, the sales, the chemical shortages. We’ve never seen anything like that," said Heather Kasier, Sales Representative for the Hot Tub Company in Mishawaka.

While the shortage is partially to blame because of the pandemic due to low inventory of packaging products, the main reason is due to a fire at a chemical plant in Louisiana last year.

“Because you can’t get the tablets you have to buy the liquid and then they still limit you on the number. So and you know I need a lot because I have a 22,000 gallon pool so I need more than 2 gallons," said Smith.

Smith typically buys 2 to 4 cases of chlorine every two weeks and says she’s gone to several stores finally finding some in stock at Leslie’s in Mishawaka. The store however did limit her to only two cases.

Kaiser says they did have to limit sales at the beginning of May but have since returned to their normal inventory.

“For the most part I don’t really think there’s reason to panic. I think most of the dealers in the area know that there’s a concern and they’re ordering extra. But, I don’t think that any of us are going to run out," said Kaiser.

According to Kaiser if you do have trouble finding chlorine you can use bromine as an alternative.