Overview
- The $14–16 million rapid refurbishment added a dark blue liner that began peeling and was followed by a vivid green algae bloom shortly after the pool was refilled.
- Officials announced arrests and citations after reporting multiple vandalism complaints, with the White House saying six people were arrested and seven cited while earlier Interior counts differed.
- Park crews have used nanobubble ozone, hydrogen peroxide dosing and vacuuming to kill and remove algae, actions that experts say can burst cells but return nutrients and risk quick rebound growth.
- The administration awarded urgency no-bid contracts for the work, drawing scrutiny over escalating costs, contractor ties and a preservation lawsuit that has not stopped finishing work.
- Environmental groups called for wildlife probes after at least one dead duckling was found, and scientists warn that the pool’s warm, shallow water and unreplaced 12-inch circulation pipes make recurrent blooms likely unless deeper plumbing repairs are done.