Greenwater Hires Crisis Firm Over $1.7 Million Reflecting Pool Project as Algae Return Fuels Scrutiny
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 28
Greenwater Hires Crisis Firm Over $1.7 Million Reflecting Pool Project as Algae Return Fuels Scrutiny
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 28
Summary
Greenwater Services has hired a crisis communications firm as its no-bid role in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool cleanup draws political scrutiny over algae flare-ups and the Trump-linked donations of co-owner J.J. Cafaro.
June 12 became a key flashpoint: after the National Park Service asked Greenwater to remove four temporary nanobubbler units, algae appeared within 24 hours; the company reinstalled them the next day and switched to the permanent system on June 25.
The $1.7 million ozone nanobubbler pushes microscopic oxygen-rich bubbles through the pool’s water system, but its long-term success still depends on aging pipes that the Interior Department says need extensive repair.
Industry researchers say the five-year-old technology has shown 90th-percentile effectiveness against harmful algal blooms in waterways, yet Greenwater has never formally used it on a pool and experts say summer heat makes the test harder.
Greenwater says daily testing shows the 6.5 million-gallon pool currently looks clear, but the company expects to stay through July 4 and may add more units if algae returns.