Just days after officials completed a major renovation project and refilled the iconic Reflecting Pool with fresh water, an unexpected algae bloom has turned the national landmark murky, drawing sharp criticism from visitors and triggering an urgent cleanup operation. The BBC traveled to the site to speak with both tourists who traveled from across the United States to see the landmark and local residents who frequent the National Mall area, capturing a range of unfiltered reactions to the unseemly problem.
Many who came to photograph the newly renovated pool and enjoy the iconic view of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial left disappointed. Multiple visitors described the water as visibly dirty, with a greenish film spreading across large sections of the pool’s surface just 72 hours after refilling work wrapped up. One tourist from Ohio told reporters that the condition of the pool was undercutting what was supposed to be a memorable visit to the nation’s capital, noting that they had planned their trip months in advance to see the completed renovation.
Local residents expressed similar frustration, pointing out that public funds had been allocated to the renovation project to address longstanding issues with the pool’s water quality. Crews have already moved in to begin the process of removing the algal growth, though it remains unclear how long the cleanup will take or what caused the rapid bloom to develop so soon after the pool was refilled. As work continues, visitors are still accessing the surrounding areas of the National Mall, but many are choosing to avoid the poolside walkways until the issue is fully resolved.