Reflecting Pool Turns Green After $14M No‑Bid Renovation

Overview

• The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool went a murky green shortly after it was refilled following a rapid renovation, and the Interior Department says the color came from residual algae left in supply lines that sat dormant during construction.
• Work crews have applied chlorine pellets and installed nanobubblers and ozone equipment to break up and disperse the algae while technicians continue startup flushing of the circulation system.
• The makeover was awarded under an expedited no‑bid contract that rose to roughly $14 million, a procurement choice that has drawn scrutiny over cost and haste.
• Journalists and outside experts warned the project did not replace aging buried circulation pipes, and they say those unreplaced 12‑inch supply lines could allow algae and leaks to return unless replaced.
• The episode has produced partisan reactions, including a conservative host’s sabotage claim and ongoing preservation litigation, even as officials say further pipe work could be scheduled later this year.