This Memorial Day for many marks the kickoff of fun filled days at the pool, but as the holiday approaches this year, Michiana residents are going to have trouble finding chlorine due to a massive shortage.

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 blame is in part the pandemic and the low inventory of packaging products, the main reason is due to a fire at a chemical plant in Louisiana.

Kaiser says they’ve had to limit sales at the start of May but since have returned to their normal inventory levels.

“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 ABC-57, Kaiser says if you do have trouble finding chlorine you can use bromine as an alternative.