In the concluding segment of our comprehensive three-part survey, Service Industry News presents the findings obtained from a questionnaire made available to 10,000 pool and spa service professionals. This survey delves into the realms of chemicals, testing methodologies, and specialty equipment employed in the pools under your care.

For those who are grappling with the mounting expenses associated with chemicals, this survey issue may be a great resource, enabling you to compare and contrast prices effectively. As the service industry is acutely aware, the cost of chemicals experienced a substantial surge during and after the pandemic. The scarcity of trichlor had a profound impact on the service sector; however, there seems to be a glimmer of hope as trichlor prices have begun to show a slight decrease. The extent of this decline, however, varies across regions, with service technicians from the Southwest reporting some of the lowest prices, reaching as low as $145 for a 50-pound bucket of trichlor. Conversely, for service technicians in many other parts of the country, the price hovers around $200 for the same quantity of this chemical. Although still higher than prepandemic levels, it represents a decline from the previous year’s average of approximately $230.

However, as trichlor prices have experienced a slight decrease, other forms of chlorine appear to have witnessed a rise in cost. Notably, service technicians in the Southeast have observed a staggering doubling of the price of sodium hypochlorite. Even in Florida, where liquid chlorine historically remained around a dollar per gallon, over recent years, a price increase has occurred, with the current price hovering close to $2.

For those seeking a direct comparison, it is helpful to consider the price per pound of available chlorine when evaluating the cost of these sanitizers. This approach allows you to determine which chlorine source offers the best value. For instance, survey responses from the Southwest indicate that both calcium hypochlorite and trichlor are equally viable options. However, when factoring in the significant price disparity between trichlor and calcium hypochlorite, compared with liquid chlorine, liquid chlorine emerges as the more expensive option, with the exception of Florida and the North East Coast.

Our first survey segment, published on June 1, 2023, primarily focused on billing practices, encompassing inquiries about billing methods, charges, and employee wages. Our second segment, published on June 15, 2023, concentrated on specific labor and repair charges, including hourly repair rates and fees for specialized jobs such as acid washing, vinyl liner replacement, pump and heater installations, and more. In this final installment of the 2023 Service Industry News survey, our attention turns to the areas of chemicals, testing methodologies, and specialty equipment employed in the dayto- day operations of the pools under your care. We delve into the types of chemicals utilized, their associated costs, preferred testing methods, and supplementary disinfection systems such as saltwater chlorine generators (SWCGs), ozone, and UV.

Thanks to all who took part in this year’s survey making it possible for the industry to get an idea of today’s regional trends.

Information contained in this survey is for informational and historical purposes only and is not meant to encourage readers to set prices in restraint of trade or in violation of any laws.