Why is there a chlorine shortage in the UK?

Swimming pools in the UK have to close their doors due to chlorine shortages.

The Covid-19 pandemic and rising cost of living are all playing a role in the crisis.

A UK Active survey has found that up to 79% of swimming pools in the UK could be forced to close their doors in the next six months if they do not receive additional financial support.

The shortage has seen pools already closed in Scotland, Suffolk and Tamworth.

The recent heatwave in the UK has only exacerbated the problem, with more chlorine needed to meet demand as more people visit the pools.

Here’s everything you need to know about the current chlorine shortage.

There are a variety of reasons that created the perfect storm for this crisis.

The Covid-19 pandemic brought global trade to a standstill overnight. China is the leading producer of chlorine and although production has ramped up again, it is still seeing supply versus demand falling.

The US is still recovering from a 2020 chemical plant fire that slowed production in North America.

The war in Ukraine is also having an impact on supply problems, while Brexit has meant that UK suppliers face additional hurdles to import chlorine.

This has led to rising prices for chlorine, which many UK swimming pools cannot afford.

The cost of swimming pools in the UK doubles as the cost of living pushes up electricity and heating prices significantly.

The recent heatwave in the UK has only made matters worse as the public flock to swimming pools to cool off.

With additional people using pools, facilities must use more chlorine, driving up costs even further.

A survey conducted by UK Active has found that up to 79% of public pools may have to close in the next six months if they don’t receive financial support.

To fight the crisis, some swimming pools are asking swimmers to make some changes.

In an attempt to reduce the amount of chlorine needed, they ask poolgoers not to wear deodorant, perfume, or lotion before entering the pool.

They asked that people shower before and after entering the water.

The pools try everything they can to keep chlorine costs down so they can ensure they stay open ahead of the busy summer season.

Swimming pools have been forced to close across the UK.

The Snowdome pool in Tamworth, facilities in Scotland and Beccles Lido in Suffolk have all announced they have had to close their doors.

Beccles Lido managing director Shaun Crowley said that Beccles & Bungay Journal that they have struggled to bear the cost of rising chlorine prices, which have more than doubled.

He said: “We’re coping at the moment, we have emergency supplies due to arrive next week but the weather has been bad news for us.”