No-Bid Contracts, Green Algae and Peeling Paint: The Growing Reflecting Pool Controversy

Controversy continues to surround the completed restoration of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. What was intended to showcase a revitalized national landmark has instead become the focus of growing scrutiny after green algae rapidly spread across the water and pieces of blue coating began floating on the surface only days after the project’s completion.

The restoration involved two major federal contracts worth roughly $16.4 million combined. Greenwater Services received approximately $1.7 million for water purification work, while Atlantic Industrial Coatings secured a contract that eventually grew to roughly $14.7 million for structural repairs, waterproofing and painting the basin.

The project has attracted attention not only because of its cost but also because of the companies involved. Reports have linked both contractors to Trump-world connections, prompting critics to question the use of no-bid contracting procedures for work on one of the nation’s most recognizable monuments.

Greenwater Services, an Ohio-based company, was responsible for addressing algae issues through ozone nanobubbler technology. According to reporting by The New York Times, the company is tied to the investment trust of Trump donor John J. Cafaro. Its contract focused exclusively on water treatment rather than structural restoration.

The company’s selection raised eyebrows because Greenwater reportedly had no previous federal contracting history. Prior reporting also noted that the firm had completed work on a swimming pool at a Trump golf property. Federal officials nevertheless argued that its technology offered a specialized solution to persistent algae problems.

Atlantic Industrial Coatings handled the largest portion of the restoration. The Virginia-based company repaired leaks, waterproofed the structure and applied a custom blue coating requested by Donald Trump. Officials described the shade as «American Flag Blue», making the color itself a prominent feature of the renovation.

Soon after the Reflecting Pool was refilled, reports emerged that portions of the blue coating were peeling from the basin floor. Fragments of the material were seen floating on the water’s surface, creating new questions about the quality of the work and whether the accelerated schedule affected the final result.

The most visible problem appeared when the water turned green almost immediately after reopening. Despite Greenwater’s purification system, algae blooms returned and drew widespread public attention. National Park Service crews subsequently deployed additional measures, including manual cleanup efforts and hydrogen peroxide treatments.

Before the problems became apparent, Trump publicly praised the project on Truth Social. He wrote: «Excitingly, the final coat of protection will be completed on the Reflecting Pool that sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial, at 4 P.M., today. The water will start flowing, shortly thereafter.»

The Reflecting Pool had already become a recurring subject on Trump’s social media accounts. In recent months, he shared AI-generated images depicting himself inside the pool and separate images mocking political opponents. Those posts brought additional attention to the project before construction was even finished.

The debate has now expanded beyond algae and peeling paint. Critics are examining the contracting process, political connections and overall cost of the restoration. As federal crews continue addressing the pool’s appearance, questions remain about whether the multimillion-dollar project delivered the lasting results promised to taxpayers.