Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Undergoes Second Drainage in Three Months
Renovation Efforts Continue Amid Ongoing Concerns
Sandego.net – Interior Secretary Doug Burgum confirmed that work crews initiated the draining process for the historic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Sunday. This marks the second time in just three months that the iconic Washington D.C. landmark has been emptied for maintenance purposes. The decision to proceed with drainage came following an interview Burgum conducted with Katie Miller, a conservative podcast host who is also married to Stephen Miller, the deputy chief of staff to President Trump.
According to Burgum, the timing aligned with their original schedule, which called for draining the pool after the July Fourth fireworks celebration. Some remnants from the fireworks display remained floating in the water when crews began their work. When questioned about the projected timeline for completing this phase of renovations, the Interior Secretary offered only a general outline of the process. He explained that the sequence involves removing water, clearing debris, addressing any vandalism, and finally refilling the pool.
Multiple Challenges Have Plagued the Landmark
The Reflecting Pool has experienced a series of complications over recent weeks that have captured national attention. Problems ranging from algae growth to discolored water have emerged alongside physical damage to the pool’s structure. Reports indicate that the bottom surface has been chipping, while allegations of intentional vandalism have circulated widely.
Administration officials, including President Donald Trump himself, have attributed the damage to vandals who allegedly cut through the pool’s protective lining. However, these claims have not been accompanied by supporting evidence. The president had previously announced in late June that the pool would be emptied following Independence Day celebrations to facilitate necessary repairs.
Contractors Return for Additional Work
Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings will handle this latest round of repairs, utilizing the same company that completed previous work. The firm originally secured a no-bid contract valued at over fourteen million dollars. Their responsibilities included sealing the pool and applying a distinctive blue coating to the bottom designed to resemble the American flag.
Eddie Gross, who owns Atlantic Industrial Coatings, informed CNN that no specific schedule has been established for his company’s portion of the work. He declined to discuss either his contract terms or the financial scope of the additional repairs needed. The Department of Interior similarly failed to provide responses regarding the timeline for this current phase of maintenance.
“It’s going to be a small number because the majority of the work was related to the labor and the materials for the liner,” Burgum stated during his CNN interview.
Partial Drainage May Suffice for Repairs
During a Sunday appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Burgum suggested that the pool might only require partial drainage rather than complete emptying. He characterized the associated costs as relatively modest, emphasizing that most expenses had already been incurred during earlier work. The secretary expressed confidence in retaining the same contractor, noting their excellent performance on the initial project.
When pressed about evidence supporting the vandalism claims, Burgum asserted that photographs exist to substantiate the government’s position. However, he avoided directly addressing whether these images clearly show individuals causing damage to the pool. The secretary also dismissed suggestions that President Trump’s motorcade driving through the pool during renovations in May caused any harm to the site.
“The whole base level of this industrial rubber layer was not yet completed, and so there was no damage that night whatsoever,” Burgum explained.
He noted that the Cadillac Escalade used for the presidential ride was considerably lighter than the heavily armored limousine called “The Beast.” According to Burgum, officials had specifically evaluated the pool’s condition before allowing the motorcade passage and determined it was safe for the vehicles to traverse the area.
Water Treatment System Remains Operational
Greenwater Services, another contractor participating in the renovation project, has indicated that draining the pool will not disrupt their ongoing operations. The company manages an ozone nanobubbler system that treats the water. Chas Antinone, president of Greenwater Services, told CNN that the equipment can be temporarily shut down and subsequently restarted as needed during the drainage process.
As the Reflecting Pool continues to receive attention from media outlets and the public, the companies involved in its restoration find themselves increasingly in the spotlight. The combination of aesthetic issues, structural concerns, and political scrutiny has transformed what was once a routine maintenance project into a matter of national interest.
