The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, recently renovated with a striking “American flag blue” color, has already started showing signs of an algal bloom. The National Park Service teams worked diligently to manage the issue mere days after spending over $14 million on its renovation. The pool, larger than 10 Olympic-sized pools, receives its water from the Tidal Basin, which presents unique challenges to maintaining cleanliness.
Algae has been a persistent issue at the site for over a century. President Donald Trump prioritized addressing it to enhance Washington’s beauty in time for the U.S.’s 250th anniversary. At least $14.8 million has been invested in this venture. The renovation resulted from a friend’s criticism who found the pool unsightly.
On Tuesday, teams deployed ozone nanobubbles and chemicals to tackle the algae, similar to past attempts to clean the pool before its recent refurbishment. Cochise Wanzer II from the Pool Service Company in Arlington, Virginia, noted the complications of using untreated river water in such an environment. He also highlighted how the new paint absorbs heat, promoting algae growth.
The pool cleaning process involves various efforts, such as vacuuming to remove algae and applying hydrogen peroxide. This method is chosen for its safety for marine life compared to chlorine. A statement from the Park Service assured no harmful environmental effects from these treatments.
During the cleaning efforts, workers entered the pool to place ozone nanobubble tubes while visitors observed. Among them were Rick and Ariana Pettit from Las Vegas, who stopped for photographs amid the ongoing cleanup. They expressed optimism as the pool began to regain its intended blue appearance.
Wanzer suggested that for an effective algae management strategy, a complete draining and cleaning might be necessary, along with treating the incoming water to prevent future blooms.