Algae Returns to National Mall Reflecting Pool After $14.2 Million Renovation Marked by Cronyism
Despite a costly renovation, the Reflecting Pool at the National Mall is once again plagued by algae, raising questions about government accountability and the influence of private interests.
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The National Mall’s Reflecting Pool, recently subjected to a $14.2 million taxpayer-funded renovation, has turned green again within days of the project’s completion. National Park Service crews—forced to rely on manual labor—were seen scraping away algae on Sunday, yet by the next day, the pool’s water remained visibly discolored.
Katie Martin, spokesperson for the Department of the Interior, attempted to deflect blame onto previous administrations, insisting that the National Park Service is 'maintaining' the pool. Martin claimed that the installation of 'nanobubblers' had supposedly eliminated the algae bloom, and that the remaining algae was being vacuumed up. The department previously dismissed the visible algae as mere 'residual material' from dormant supply lines, suggesting its return was a normal part of the process.
The renovation, announced with much fanfare by President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in June, included draining the pool, repainting it 'American Flag Blue,' and refilling it in time for the country’s 250th anniversary. However, public records reveal the contract was awarded without competitive bidding to a company with prior ties to a Trump-owned golf club—another example of government resources being funneled to private cronies.
This incident exposes the ongoing failures in maintaining public infrastructure and the persistent influence of corporate interests over public funds, despite expensive upgrades.
