Paint begins peeling at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after costly renovation

The recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is experiencing significant issues, including persistent algae blooms and peeling "American flag blue" sealant.

The pool's refurbishment, initiated by Donald Trump, involved applying a dark blue shade and installing "advanced nanobubbler technology" to address long-standing algae problems.

The project's cost has escalated from an initial estimate of $1.5 million to nearly $14.7 million, with the Trump administration awarding multiple no-bid contracts to Atlantic Industrial Coatings LLC.

The administration bypassed competitive bidding processes, citing an urgent need, despite the chosen company having no apparent prior federal contracts, and the pool has since recorded its highest June algae levels in five years.

Workers treated the pool with hydrogen peroxide, which the Interior Department described as a mild treatment, but this appears to have contributed to the sealant peeling and elevated phosphate levels in the water.