Algae Bloom Turns Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Green

The chemical treatment follows a $14.2 million renovation commissioned by President Donald Trump, intended to dye the water a specific shade of 'American flag blue.' Instead, the basin has become a maintenance headache, drawing criticism from health experts and observers alike. Pediatrician Michael O'Brien questioned the efficacy of the effort, noting that the volume of hydrogen peroxide required to actually kill the algae at that scale would be massive, suggesting the current approach lacks scientific rigor.

Environmental concerns are also mounting. While hydrogen peroxide breaks down relatively quickly, the high concentration being poured directly into the water poses risks to local wildlife, prompting one reporter to remark it was a 'bad day to be a duck.' The renovation project itself has faced scrutiny, with reports revealing that the contract was awarded without a bid to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a firm previously utilized for work on Trump’s private golf course swimming pools.