Each year, Service Industry News takes the pulse of the pool and spa service sector through our comprehensive survey, and in this final installment of the 2025 edition, we shift our focus to the chemistry and technology that drive daily pool operations.
From chemical choices and costs to preferred water testing methods and the adoption of supplemental sanitation systems, this data-rich issue highlights the tools and techniques service professionals across the country rely on to maintain water quality, ensure bather safety, and deliver outstanding service.
In this final installment of the 2025 Service Industry News survey, we turn our attention to chemicals, testing methods, and specialty equipment used in daily pool operations.
We explore the types of chemicals used, their costs, preferred testing methods, and additional disinfection systems like saltwater chlorine generators (SWCGs), ozone, and UV, which enhance your service quality.
What we’ve found is a snapshot of an evolving industry — one where traditional chlorine treatments still dominate, but alternatives and augmentations are gaining traction depending on region, climate, water conditions, and customer preference.
The responses in this section give insight into how regional pricing pressures, environmental factors, and technological adoption influence the day-to-day decisions of pool professionals.
Chemical pricing remains a top concern for service businesses, particularly as inflationary pressures and supply fluctuations continue to impact the cost of goods.
We asked respondents to share what they’re paying for commonly used sanitizers like liquid chlorine, trichlor, calcium hypochlorite, and dichlor.
This year’s data shows continued regional variation, with some markets paying more than others for the same product. That kind of information helps professionals benchmark their costs and better understand the market forces at play.
In terms of water testing, we asked about the methods pool professionals use to monitor sanitizer levels, pH, and other key chemistry parameters.
From traditional reagent-based DPD and OTO tests to ORP-based systems and test strips, preferences vary widely across regions.
As the industry continues to modernize, understanding the balance between precision, ease-of-use, and cost will shape the future of testing practices.
This year, we also took a deeper dive into the use of specialty equipment that supports or enhances primary disinfection.
From saltwater chlorine generators to ultraviolet systems and ozone, these technologies are no longer fringe — they’re firmly integrated into many service routes. Their presence in the field continues to grow, and knowing how often service professionals encounter these systems can help inform training needs, equipment stocking, and business planning.
As always, we extend our gratitude to all participants of this year’s survey for providing valuable data that helps the industry understand current regional trends.
Your input allows us to paint a clearer picture of how pool service is evolving across the country.
The survey results are broken down by region: Northern California, Southern California, the Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, and Florida.
Each regional snapshot provides detailed breakdowns of chemical usage and pricing, preferred testing methods, and the penetration of specialty disinfection technologies.
Let’s take a closer look at what service professionals across the country are using — and how much they’re paying — to keep pools clean, safe, and sparkling.
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.
