About two weeks ago, President Donald Trump said restoration work on the reflecting pool was complete. It has turned green and the paint is peeling off.
Blue paint peels off reflecting pool a few days after refilling
Days after backfilling, blue paint is peeling and algae is infesting the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool, raising concerns about recent renovations.
It’s been about two weeks since President Donald Trump announced that beautification work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was complete. But since then, a story of science, nature and accusations of vandalism has slowly unfolded in the nation’s capital.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the National Mall equipment has turned an algae-green color (this often happens after being drained for maintenance). However, you can also see the paint peeling off the bottom (which is unusual).
President Trump announced plans to renovate the reflecting pool in April, saying he had received complaints about leaks and a lack of cleanliness. Pool algae has been a recurring problem for decades.
The massive project sparked controversy over cost and the choice to paint underwater features “American flag blue.”
The president, who also plans to build an “Arc de Triomphe” near Arlington National Cemetery and demolish the east wing of the White House to make way for a giant ballroom, blamed the current state of the reflecting pool on vandalism and pointed to the recent inscription of “8647” on the lawn of the National Mall.
Meanwhile, former Olympic canoeist David Hahn was arrested by U.S. Park Police on June 19 and charged with misdemeanor destruction of government property, The Washington Post reported. Hearn told the media outlet that he was able to reach into the reflecting pool and “grasp” the edge of the “floating debris” but was unable to remove it. USA TODAY reached out to park police.
Here’s what you need to know about the twists and turns in Reflecting Pool’s redrawn story from the beginning.
History of reflecting pool construction and maintenance
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is one of several reflecting pools in the Washington, DC area. It is approximately 2,000 feet long and 160 feet wide, with the Lincoln Memorial at one end and the World War II Memorial at the other end. The Washington Monument just beyond is reflected in the water.
This pool was built in the early 1920s. Since then, various renovation projects and improvements have been made. A reinforced concrete slab foundation was installed in 1929, according to a National Park Service report. Drains were installed along the elm walkway next to the pool in the 1930s. A complete refurbishment in 1981 addressed leaks and drainage and introduced self-sustaining cleaning methods, but shortly thereafter an engineering report revealed failures in the structural systems.
In 1978, the pool was cleaned twice a year, with “10 to 15 large truckloads” of debris removed each time, according to the Park Service.
In 2010, a major project to update the pool began, lasting two years and costing $34 million. After that renovation, algae quickly became a problem again.
The Interior Department previously said in a statement to USA TODAY that algae blooms have plagued “every pool that has reopened since 1922.”
Algae blooms occur naturally and can grow rapidly due to warm water and sunlight. Washington, D.C., has had several hot days, including in the 90s, since the latest algae outbreak, but recent rainfall may also have played a role. The nutrients that feed the bloom can be blown in when it rains or carried through particles washed off from paved surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
President Trump orders reflecting pool painted ‘American flag blue’
President Trump said he chose a deep navy “American flag blue” color to repaint the reflecting pool. The project will take place ahead of the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
The park service says the color improves the reflectivity of the water.
The reflecting pool renovation project included drainage, cleaning, and refinishing. President Trump previously said the plan was to sandblast, caulk and resurface the pool basin.
Previously, the reflecting pool’s basin was a neutral gray concrete, but the Parks Department announced that algae had grown on it and turned it green. Before that, authorities said the bottom of the pool was black and that at times in its history the water had been dyed to make it more reflective.
The nonprofit Cultural Landscape Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior on May 11 over the renovation project, alleging that it violates federal law by not going through a proper review process for making changes to historic sites.
How much did it cost? How long did it take?
President Trump first announced renovations on April 23, calling the pool’s condition “terrible.”
“In a few weeks, there will be the most beautiful reflecting pool you’ve ever seen between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial,” President Trump said.
It took more than a few weeks. Renovation work continued until early June. Workers began refilling the reflecting pool about two weeks ago.
The project cost about $16 million, although President Trump originally said it would cost $1.5 million.
Atlantic Industrial Coatings and Green Water Solutions were awarded the contract for the work. Atlantic Industrial Coatings was awarded $14.2 million to dye the pool blue with the American flag, and Green Water Solutions was awarded $1.7 million to improve water quality.
What’s going on with the reflecting pool now?
Since the water was refilled, visitors to the reflecting pool have noticed that algae has covered the bottom, making it appear green.
The Interior Ministry claimed success in a statement on June 15, saying it had introduced technology to destroy the algae. But the next day, USA TODAY reported that the green color was still there and that workers had poured hydrogen peroxide into the water.
Despite chemical treatments, green algae can persist in hot, humid summer weather, Hans Pearl, a research professor of marine and environmental sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told USA TODAY on June 15.
Most recently, parts of the pool’s blue layer have been torn off and seen floating within the pool. A photo published by Getty Images on June 18 shows the sealant tearing.
As of June 20, Getty and Reuters photos show exposed areas where recently applied paint has peeled off. Workers were seen wading through the water to remove algae, and algae and a green tint were also visible in the water.
Contributors: Dinah Voyles Pulver, Michelle Del Rey and james powell, america today
