Reflecting Pool at Lincoln Memorial Faces Algae Issue After Costly Repair

President Trump aimed to transform the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial into a pristine site. However, nature intervened. Days after the completion of a $14.2 million project to apply dark blue waterproofing material to the pool’s concrete floor, algae appeared over the weekend, turning parts of the water green.

The refurbishment focused on resolving leaks and persistent algae blooms prior to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Nonetheless, a stretch of warm, humid weather facilitated the return of the algae.

The Interior Department, charged with managing the site, did not promptly address requests for their input on the situation. Katie Martin, their spokeswoman, indicated last week that workers were cleaning out “residual algae from the supply lines which have been sitting dormant for eight weeks while construction has been taking place.”

Martin expressed confidence that the algae would be removed shortly. President Donald J. Trump is an expert builder who has fixed the Reflecting Pool for good, she remarked.

President Trump had previously criticized the pool’s condition as filthy and dirty. He declared the site would become beautiful as a result of the changes, highlighting the pool floor’s color choice: “American flag blue.”

In facilitating the repair, Trump’s administration sidestepped the competitive bidding process, expediting contracts to two select vendors on grounds of urgency due to the forthcoming national celebration.

Atlantic Industrial Coatings of Virginia secured the first contract to address leaks and apply the new waterproofing layer. Greenwater Services of Ohio received the second contract to upgrade the water-purification system. Atlantic Industrial Coatings concluded its tasks by June 4, followed by refilling the pool. The installation status of the new purification system remains uncertain.

On Sunday, National Park Service staff, alongside Pearl Purity Water Solutions, worked on clearing algae from the pool surface. Pearl Purity Water Solutions has a standing contract from 2021 for water treatment services.

Officials from Greenwater Services and Pearl Purity Water Solutions did not provide immediate responses to inquiries.

As the work continued on Monday, numerous tourists explored the area under sunny skies. Some visitors, like Bonnie Garvin from Monticello, Ga., expressed indifference to the pool’s green tint, noting that they weren’t there for swimming.

Conversely, Jessica Lea from Portland, Ore., found her first trip to the historical site unsatisfactory. Lea described the pool as swampy and lacking in cleanliness, adding that she couldn’t see any reflection in the water.