Blue paint and sealant are peeling from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool days after the pool was repainted and treated, adding to a wave of problems following renovations tied to President Donald Trump’s 250th birthday and Fourth of July plans.
Blue paint has started to peel off the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool just days after the pool was refilled and treated, with images showing sealant tearing and “American Flag Blue” paint floating to the surface.
The peeling appears on June 18. according to photos published by Getty Images that show a tear in recently applied sealant and portions of the paint rising from the pool basin. The issue has intensified scrutiny around the renovation work commissioned as part of a broader effort to prepare Washington landmarks ahead of the Fourth of July and celebrations of the country’s 250th birthday.
A June 16 aerial photo previously showed the pool covered in algae. That condition, which had already raised alarm, was the focus of earlier reporting. On June 17, workers were seen pouring hydrogen peroxide into the pool to reduce the algae. Even so, parts of the reflecting pool still appeared green in the June 18 images.
Trump announced the refurbishment plan in April, saying the landmark had drawn complaints over cleanliness levels and a leaking foundation. The National Park Service told reporters that the pool had leaked 16 million gallons a year. He said contractors would sandblast, caulk and resurface the pool basin.
The price tag for the renovations is about $16 million, based on government contract records previously reviewed. The administration hired Atlantic Industrial Coatings to apply the “American Flag Blue” coating, described as a dark navy. The landmark measures about 2,000 feet in length and 160 feet in width. The company was awarded $14.2 million for the project.
The National Park Service previously said the chosen color would improve the pool’s reflection qualities compared with prior gray concrete, which collected algae and turned a slimy green.
Where the sequence now looks stark is in the timing: the pool’s algae problem was visible on June 16, hydrogen peroxide was poured on June 17, and by June 18 the basin shows visible sealant failure and paint coming loose.
The National Park Service was contacted for comment on the apparent tear in the sealant. No response was included in the available reporting.
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool American Flag Blue Atlantic Industrial Coatings National Park Service hydrogen peroxide renovation Washington DC