The National Mall’s other reflecting pool, the Capitol Reflecting Pool, has managed to avoid the green algae that has plagued President Donald Trump’s newly-renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Unlike the Lincoln Memorial site, which faced severe operational setbacks including chemical treatments linked to bird deaths and a $14.7 million renovation bill, the Capitol pool remains crystal clear. The two National Mall sites operate under different jurisdictions: the Capitol pool is overseen by the Architect of the Capitol, while the Lincoln Memorial is managed by the National Park Service.
The Capitol pool’s design allows for faster maintenance cycles, with its smaller, trapezoidal shape and more frequent draining, cleaning, and repairs. According to Thomas Austin, the Architect of the Capitol, keeping large water features clean is an ongoing struggle due to factors like corrosion, animals, diseases, bacteria, and algae.
The contrast in water conditions has raised questions about White House renovation tactics, which included coating the Lincoln Memorial pool’s floor with a blue rubberized finish. The project was criticized for its impact on bird life, including three reported dead ducks. Meanwhile, the Capitol pool has faced biological issues in the past, such as avian botulism and an algae bloom.
Lawmakers have offered mixed reactions to the two operations, with some praising the Architect of the Capitol’s efforts while others point to the timeline of the White House project as the primary issue.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics