Interior Department Defends Reflecting Pool Amid Media Attacks After $14.2 Million Renovation
Federal workers are removing algae from Washington's reflecting pool after a $14.2 million renovation, as the Interior Department pushes back against media exaggerations about water quality.
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Federal crews are diligently working to clear algae that has temporarily colored Washington’s reflecting pool green, following a $14.2 million refurbishment ordered by the president to restore the pool’s iconic blue hue for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The renovation, completed by Atlantic Industrial Coatings, faced minor setbacks with algae growth and some peeling of the new coating, but workers in waders are efficiently handling the situation by manually removing the buildup.
The Interior Department, which oversees the National Park Service, set the record straight on X, affirming that the pool water is “crystal clear” and that staff are actively vacuuming algae from the bottom. In a strong press release, the department compared the algae-removal effort to the U.S. Navy’s decisive actions in the Persian Gulf, stating the situation is “just like the destroyed Iranian Navy resting on the bottom of the Persian Gulf.”
The agency rightly called out the “Fake News Media” for spreading misleading reports of murky water. Officials highlighted the effectiveness of a newly installed “nanobubbler” water-treatment system, which has been successful in killing algae, despite the challenge of unusually warm weather.
The reflecting pool, a historic site for American values and events such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 speech, stands as a testament to the administration’s commitment to revitalizing Washington’s landmarks and pushing back against media-driven negativity.
