Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool shows blue material shedding after expensive renovation in the United States
A problem has arisen at the iconic Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington, D.C., where the newly applied blue coating on the bottom of the pool has begun to peel off. The incident comes just days after the “Reflector Pool” was repainted and filled with water as part of a multimillion-dollar renovation initially commissioned by then-President Donald Trump.
Observers observed on the 17th the occurrence of a detachment of the blue coating from the surface. The material, which was still partially fixed, rose and floated through the water. It remains unclear whether the problem involves paint or sealant, and the exact reason for the detachment has not yet been identified.
A request for clarification was sent to the Ministry of the Interior, however, to date, no statement has been issued regarding the incident.
Eddie Wood, owner of the company Atlantic Industrial Coatings, located in Virginia and responsible for carrying out the work, stated that, after analyzing the photographic and video material, the images are insufficient to determine the exact nature of the problem.
The company also informed that it will carry out a detailed inspection of the site during the repairs and has committed to taking the necessary actions if faults are identified.
Tim Auerhan, a pool infrastructure expert and president of the Aquatic Council, an organization that oversees pools and spas, commented that video footage makes it difficult to pinpoint the cause of this “apparent peeling.”
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Auerhahn listed several causes for failures in coating systems, such as inadequate surface preparation, contamination, improper application conditions, adhesion issues, wrong product choice, physical damage or environmental exposure. He warned that if delamination extends beyond a specific point, indicating a widespread loss of coating adhesion, the situation could be more serious.
The reflecting pool, one of the most visited attractions on the National Mall, has experienced difficulties since construction began in April, requested by then-President Trump. Trump’s intention was for the bottom of the pool to be repainted in a shade he called “American flag blue.”
The renovation costs, initially expected at US$ 1.8 million, increased significantly. According to the details of the contract awarded by the Department of the Interior to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, the current cost of the project has skyrocketed to $14.7 million, which represents an increase of more than 700%.
It is worth mentioning that, at the beginning of the month, shortly after the renovated water mirror was filled, it had already presented discoloration problems caused by algae growth. This week, staff were observed adding hydrogen peroxide to the pool, along with using a device described by a Home Office spokesperson as “advanced nanobubble technology”, in a bid to combat the problem. However, on the afternoon of the 18th, an extensive portion of the pool still had a green hue and the visible presence of algae.
