Blue paint on Reflecting Pool begins to peel after recent renovation

Washington, D.C. – A section of the "American Flag Blue" paint applied to the bottom of the Reflecting Pool has started to peel away, officials said on Thursday. The pool was repainted and refilled about two weeks ago following a directive from the White House, and crews have been using algae-removal methods, including scrubbing, nanobubble ozone treatment, and hydrogen peroxide applications.

Around the middle of the south side, a 2- to 3-foot area of paint detached from the surface and, aided by wind, lifted slightly above the water. The cause of the deterioration remains unclear, with no confirmed link to the cleaning chemicals or techniques in use.

"It’s definitely concerning, yeah; you’re spending $11 million, you’d like to see quality work being done," said Derick Amspaugh, a visitor from Columbus, Ohio.

"It’s a bit of a metaphor, I think, for some of the other projects they are trying to do," commented John Ritter, a Northern Virginia resident.

As of the afternoon report, roughly one-third of the pool appeared clean and blue, while the remainder remained green from seasonal algae growth.