One aspect of the present invention is directed to a solid chemical tablet in a shape comprising an elongated cylindrical side surface and an elongated flat side surface or an elongated concave cut side surface. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a solid chemical tablet comprising a blend of hydrated calcium hypochlorite with magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. This invention further relates to a solid chemical tablet comprising a blend of solid calcium hypochlorite, and one or more solid alkali metal phosphate.