A multimillion-dollar renovation meant to restore the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s look is already drawing questions: contractors have spent about $16 million, the Interior Department says a hydrogen-peroxide treatment has destroyed the algae bloom, yet
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool looked green again on Tuesday, with visitors reacting as the landmark’s bright new “American Flag Blue” hue didn’t show through after a renovation billed at roughly $16 million.
The project began after President Donald Trump announced in April that the pool would be refurbished, citing complaints about cleanliness and a leaking foundation. The National Park Service told the public that the pool had leaked 16 million gallons a year.
Renovation plans released by the president included sandblasting, caulking and resurfacing the pool basin as part of an effort to beautify Washington ahead of the country’s 250th birthday. Work involved two contractors in the nation’s capital: Atlantic Industrial Coatings and Green Water Solutions.
Atlantic Industrial Coatings was awarded $14.2 million. Green Water Solutions received $1.7 million.
The administration also directed Atlantic Industrial Coatings to tint the pool “American Flag Blue,” described as a dark navy. The pool measures about 2,000 feet in length and 160 feet in width. The National Park Service had previously said the color change would improve reflection qualities compared with prior gray concrete that collected algae and turned the water a slimy green.
Before the pool had a concrete bottom, it had a black asphalt basin. In some earlier periods, water had been dyed to improve the reflection.
For water quality. Green Water Solutions was hired for work intended to reduce toxins. algae and other substances in contaminated water. according to its website. In an emailed statement on Monday. June 15. the Interior Department said the technology “has successfully destroyed the algae bloom that has plagued every pool reopening since 1922.”.
Yet on Tuesday, June 16, the pool had not shed its green color, and hydrogen peroxide was spotted being poured into the water.
Atlantic Industrial Coatings said it lined the pool with polyurea, a waterproof sealant, to stop ongoing leaks. The company said the initial price for lining the pool was $13.1 million, but the National Park Service added work to the original scope, raising the price to $14.6 million.
Payment records show Atlantic Industrial Coatings was paid $6,886,520 on April 3, $1,740,256 on April 13, $6,218,381 on May 8, and $1,086,576 on June 3. Green Water Solutions was paid on April 13.
Outside the immediate dispute over color, researchers warned that the pool could stay green into the later months. Hans Paerl. a research professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. said on June 15 that the color may remain until cooler autumn conditions. He said algae blooms thrive in heated environments and that Washington can be hot and humid in summer. In July, the city is expected to see several days in the upper 80s and 90s.
Paerl also cautioned officials against using chemicals to treat the pool, saying they could harm animals that drink the water. Ducks are frequently seen wading in the area.
The Interior Department said hydrogen peroxide is a milder treatment than chlorine and told the public there are no harmful side effects to marine life or to the environment.
Pool could remain green through September, Paerl warned.
For now, visitors looking for the transformation promised before the 250th birthday are left staring at a pool that has cost tens of millions of dollars and still isn’t behaving like the vision sold to the public.
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation $16 million hydrogen peroxide algae bloom National Park Service Atlantic Industrial Coatings Green Water Solutions polyurea sealant American Flag Blue Trump