Lincoln Reflecting Pool Turned Green After 36-Hour Nanobubbler Removal for June 12 Event
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 26
Lincoln Reflecting Pool Turned Green After 36-Hour Nanobubbler Removal for June 12 Event
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 26
Summary
Algae blooms spread across the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after water-purification nanobubblers were removed and reinstalled 36 hours later, leaving the water green.
The National Park Service asked contractor Greenwater Services to take out the machines before a June 12 event promoting President Donald Trump's UFC-themed White House birthday celebration, according to two people briefed on the decision.
The temporary system—installed under a $1.7 million no-bid contract—used fenced-in machines, hoses and generators around the pool, which officials viewed as an eyesore for the event.
Photos from that evening showed the pool without the equipment and still dark blue; by the time the system returned, algae had begun spreading unchecked.