Algae Is Turning the Reflecting Pool Green. Again.
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration completed a $14.2 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, including a dark blue waterproof coating and a nanobubbler water-treatment system aimed at fixing leaks and algal blooms before the nation's 250th birthday.
- Despite the upgrades, algae reappeared on the pool’s surface after several hot and humid days, prompting National Park Service workers to begin cleaning the algae while officials assured the issue was temporary.
- The project involved no-bid contracts awarded to two companies, Atlantic Industrial Coatings and Greenwater Services, bypassing competitive bidding due to the urgency of preparations for the nation’s birthday celebrations.
- Interior Department spokeswoman Katie Martin stated that the algae was dead due to the nanobubbler technology and was being vacuumed up, attributing the improvements to President Trump's efforts to restore the pool.
- Tourists visiting the site were generally unbothered by the temporary algae presence, and work to clear the pool continued with involvement from contracted water-treatment firms.
