The National Park Service has begun dumping hydrogen peroxide into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to combat a stubborn algae bloom, according to a Department of the Interior spokesperson. The move comes just days after President Trump’s controversial $13.1 million renovation of the iconic water feature on the National Mall was completed.
The algae returned quickly, turning the 2,028-foot pool green, despite the Trump administration’s claim that the repainting and repairs would restore its historic appearance. Videos shared on social media Tuesday show workers pouring gallon bottles of the chemical into the pool.
The park service is also using an advanced filtration system that injects ozone-infused nanobubbles to break down toxins and contaminants. Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used in spas and natural swimming pools as a less harsh alternative to chlorine. The DOI spokesperson said the chemical has “no harmful side effects to marine life or to the environment.”
Renovation Controversy
The $13.1 million renovation, which included repainting the pool’s base “American flag blue” and repairing leaking joints, has drawn sharp criticism over both aesthetics and procurement practices. The nonprofit Cultural Landscape Foundation and its founder, Charles Birnbaum, sued in May, alleging the new blue paint compromised the pool’s “historic character” without proper authorization.
Trump dismissed the criticism, calling the work “highly sophisticated material” that could last 100 years. In a Truth Social post, he wrote, “This was not a paint job… The material is thick, strong, flexible, and has a natural, beautiful color, the dark blue of the American Flag!”
The project also sparked outrage over a no-bid contract awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a Virginia firm that has done work at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va. This was the firm’s first federal contract, and it received a 20 percent profit margin, well above the typical rate for federal construction projects, according to The New York Times.
A DOI spokesperson defended the contract price, saying it “reflects the effort necessary” to complete the work before Independence Day celebrations for America’s 250th birthday on the National Mall. The algae’s rapid return has reignited debate over the administration’s priorities and oversight.
This incident is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Trump administration projects on the National Mall. In a related case, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore removed National Park displays, highlighting ongoing tensions over management of federal lands.
As the hydrogen peroxide treatment takes effect, critics are questioning whether the renovation was a prudent use of taxpayer money. The episode underscores the broader political battles over the administration’s approach to public infrastructure and historic preservation.
