Bromide Ban, Insta Drama, Borate Chemistry

The Chemistry Game-Changer You're Probably Not Using

Picture this: You're on your weekly pool route, pulling up to that one account that drives you absolutely nuts. Every single week, the pH is sky-high again. You add acid, test, add more acid, and by next week it's right back where it started. Sound familiar? If you're nodding your head right now, you're not alone. This frustrating cycle is playing out on pool routes across the country, but there's a solution that many pool professionals are still sleeping on. Welcome to the world of borates – one of the most underrated tools in modern pool chemistry.

Setting the Record Straight: The Bromide Ban That Never Was

Before we dive into chemistry solutions, let's address the elephant in the room that had the entire industry buzzing this week. Rumors spread like wildfire across social media claiming that the EPA was completely banning sodium bromide products. Pool professionals and customers alike were in a panic, but here's the truth: it's completely false.

Reports have been circulating online claiming the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is banning sodium bromide. Tonight, we can confirm that rumor is false. In an official clarification, industry leaders state that EPA is not stopping the sale of sodium bromide products. Instead, the agency is issuing a new labeling requirement.

— Talking Pools Podcast

What's actually happening is far less dramatic. The EPA is requiring new labeling that states "not for use in outdoor pools" due to concerns over bromate formation – a byproduct that's been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. However, the science behind this decision is complex and arguably incomplete.

United Chemical, the company that pioneered sodium bromide in the 1980s, is responding with full transparency. They're releasing all their data, studies, and EPA correspondence so pool professionals can review the facts themselves. More importantly, they're proposing a comprehensive new study that will include controlled outdoor testing with real-world conditions – something that's been missing from the current regulatory discussion.

Instagram Drama: When Industry Recognition Gets Complicated

The pool industry isn't immune to social media drama, and this week proved that point when the Talking Pools Podcast announced their Mentor of the Year award. What should have been a celebration of mentorship quickly turned into industry-wide discussions about recognition, competition, and what really matters in our professional community.

The controversy centered around the phrase "earned, not given" – words that sparked comparisons between different industry awards. Some followers began pitting recognition programs against each other, but Rudy Stankiewicz quickly stepped in to clarify the intention:

I'm not sure who started that on Instagram, though I have an idea. I can say that vote-style contests aren't the type I personally run or participate in, but they absolutely have a place in the industry. I see the winners every year, and I don't disagree with the people who earn those honors.

— Rudy Stankiewicz, Talking Pools Podcast

The Talking Pools recognition stands out not because it's better than other awards, but because it's different. Instead of votes or banquet ceremonies, it's intensely personal. The winner receives a championship belt manufactured by the same craftsmen who make belts for UFC, and Rudy personally travels to present it. It's a recognition based on measurable impact rather than popularity.

But perhaps the most important message to come from this drama was about industry unity:

We're all in this together. Talking Pools Podcast. Pool Magazine Podcast. Pool Chasers. The Pool Guy Podcast Show. Rule Your Pool. Let's Talk About Pools. Pool Talk. The Chlorine King Pool Service Show. Ask the Masters Podcast. Splash. Deep End. And yes, Pool Nation.

— Rudy Stankiewicz, Talking Pools Podcast

The Science of Borates: Why Your pH Problems Have a Simple Solution

Now, let's get to the meat of this episode – borate chemistry. If you've been in the pool industry for any length of time, you know the frustration of pH drift. You balance everything perfectly, and three days later, that pH has crept back up like it's personally trying to drive you crazy.

The problem isn't bad luck or faulty equipment – it's basic chemistry. Aeration, CO2 outgassing, turbulence from returns and waterfalls all push pH upward. Traditional total alkalinity helps resist downward pH swings, but it doesn't do much to prevent rising pH.

Here's where borates become your secret weapon. While the carbonate buffer system (total alkalinity) works best around a pH of 6.1, borate buffers work optimally around 9.1. This creates a perfect one-two punch:

• Carbonate buffers protect the lower end (most effective from 5.1 to 7.1)
• Borate buffers protect the upper end (most effective from 8.1 to 10.1)
• Your ideal pH range of 7.2 to 7.8 sits right in the sweet spot between both systems

What you end up with is a pH that hangs out in the middle because it's the easiest place to be. And that's pretty much your ideal range. That sweet zone between 7.2 and 7.8. So instead of the pH bouncing around like a ping pong ball every time the wind blows or the spillway runs too long, you get this smooth, stable equilibrium that just holds.

— Talking Pools Podcast

Real-World Benefits: What Borates Actually Do for Your Route

The theoretical chemistry is fascinating, but what matters to pool professionals is real-world performance. Borates deliver measurable benefits that will make your life easier and your customers happier:

Reduced Chemical Consumption: Field data shows 40-60% reductions in acid usage over a full season. That's not marketing fluff – that's documented savings that go straight to your bottom line.

Better Water Quality: Stable pH means your chlorine stays more effective. When pH rises from 7.2 to 8.2, your hypochlorous acid concentration drops by more than half. With borates preventing that drift, your sanitizer works harder with less effort from you.

Equipment Protection: Scale formation slows down, heat exchangers stay cleaner, and salt cells don't crust up as quickly. Your customers' equipment lasts longer, and you spend less time on maintenance calls.

Enhanced Swimmer Experience: The water looks clearer and feels smoother. Customers notice the difference, even if they can't explain why their pool suddenly feels more luxurious.

Safety and Implementation: Getting Started with Borates

One concern that often comes up with borates is safety, but the science is reassuring:

Borates are generally low in toxicity. You'd have to ingest enormous quantities of pool water to even approach harmful levels.

— Talking Pools Podcast

Boron is actually a micronutrient that life needs in trace amounts. It helps plants with cell wall structure and sugar transport. The levels used in pools (typically 30-50 ppm) are well within safe ranges for both swimmers and the environment.

Implementation is straightforward: add boric acid or sodium tetraborate to achieve your target level, then maintain it through regular testing. The initial cost is offset by reduced chemical consumption and fewer service calls for pH issues.

The Bigger Picture: Industry Unity and Professional Growth

This episode highlighted more than just chemistry and industry news – it showcased the importance of unity and mentorship in our professional community. Whether we're dealing with regulatory challenges like the bromide labeling issue, social media drama around awards, or sharing technical knowledge about borate chemistry, we're stronger when we work together.

The pool industry faces real challenges: labor shortages, regulatory pressures, and increasing customer expectations. The solution isn't competition or division – it's collaboration, education, and mentorship. As professionals, our responsibility extends beyond just maintaining water chemistry; we're building an industry that can thrive for the next generation.

Borates represent more than just a chemical solution – they're an example of how understanding science and sharing knowledge can solve real problems. When we take the time to understand the chemistry behind our work, we become better professionals and provide better service to our customers.

The next time you're facing that stubborn pH drift, remember that there's a solution backed by solid science and real-world results. And when you implement borates successfully, share that knowledge with another professional. That's how our industry grows stronger – one mentor, one lesson, and one perfectly balanced pool at a time.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 05:30 Instagram Drama: Mentor of the Year Controversy
• 15:45 Breaking News: Bromide Ban Rumors Debunked
• 25:20 Back to Basics: Borate Chemistry Deep Dive
• 40:15 Real-World Benefits and Implementation
• 50:30 Safety Considerations and Industry Unity