Chlorine shortage impacting El Paso swimming pools
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — As temperatures rise, more people might flock to the pool this summer, but chlorine shortages might impact the fun in El Paso and nationwide.
Chlorine supply is low after a 2020 fire at a chemical plant in Louisiana that produces much of the nation’s chlorine tablets. Company officials say the plant is currently being rebuilt.
Consumers might notice chlorine is harder to find and costs more money. Experts are urging consumers not to buy more chlorine than what they need.
The City of El Paso is feeling the impact too. Two of the city’s pools require the type of chemical now in short supply, Grandview Swimming Pool and Pavo Real Swimming Pool. The city first relied on stockpiled supplies when the shortage first hit, but those supplies have now dwindled.
“We only had enough of a stockpile to kind of sustain,” said Andrea Schiechl, Aquatics Manager with El Paso’s Parks and Recreation. “It was just kind of a backup to make sure that if we run out on the weekend or if there's an issue with delivery we're not scrambling. We don't like waiting until we’re empty until we start reacting and we like anticipating.”
Schiechl said the city is now converting the pools at Grandview and Pavo Real to rely on new chemicals that other city pools already use.
“We didn't anticipate this shortage being this long and driving us to changing our chemical feeder system, but in the long run I think that’s probably the best thing for the city so we can use the same chemical throughout,” she said.
An El Paso city official said the shortage will not impact Memorial Day pool hours. Grandview and Pavo Real pools will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Other indoor and outdoor city pools will be closed for the holiday.
