Trump administration unveils aggressive plan to keep Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool clean, including annual drain and ‘nasty’ muck removal
A sweeping new plan to keep the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool from turning green and grimy is emerging after the Trump administration pushed for months to restore the National Mall landmark to a sparkling blue, according to public documents reviewed by CNN.
The Department of Interior is soliciting bids for a contractor to handle long-term maintenance of the pool once it is repaired and restored for the second time this year. The contract would begin in August and could be renewed after the first year, with the pool being drained annually for two weeks in February or March for cleaning and inspection.
The iconic Reflecting Pool has long been plagued by algae blooms, murky green water, flaking concrete, and persistent maintenance headaches that have frustrated successive administrations. The Trump administration hopes the latest round of renovations — set to begin after the July Fourth holiday — will finally put those problems to rest.
The search for a dedicated contractor underscores how difficult it has been to keep the pool clear. The bid documents detail an exhaustive list of daily tasks: manually removing debris, animal droppings, leaves, and even reporting any dead animals found in or around the water. The contractor would also clean all filters and skimmers, remove pollen and sludge daily, and disinfect the pool manually as needed.
Earlier this month, the administration dumped gallons of hydrogen peroxide into the pool to fight a sudden algae outbreak. That followed the installation of a $1.7 million “ozone nanobubbler” system that shoots oxygen into the water to break down contaminants. The new contractor will be responsible for operating and maintaining that high-tech setup, which has so far failed to prevent the water from turning green.
The price tag for the Reflecting Pool’s overhaul has already ballooned to more than $14 million — well above initial estimates. Bids for the new maintenance contract are due July 8.
The bid documents also highlight a peculiar hazard: the organic sludge that accumulates at the bottom of the pool, described as “slick and nasty” and consisting of wet leaves, duck droppings, and bird waste. Officials warn that the material must never be allowed to dry out, as airborne particles could pose a respiratory risk. Instead, it must be removed while still wet.
The Interior Department did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on the long-term plan or the status of thousands of feet of aging pipes beneath the pool, which have been in disrepair for years. The department has not answered repeated questions about pipe replacement or repair timelines.
The Reflecting Pool, situated between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, is one of the most photographed sites in the U.S. capital. Its condition has drawn the personal attention of President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed frustration over its appearance. The aggressive new maintenance plan reflects that level of presidential involvement — but also the reality that keeping a 2,000-foot-long outdoor pool clean in the middle of a city park is a far more complex and expensive job than it might appear.