DC Water officials announced Monday they have issued a permit to drain the Reflecting Pool, according to Reuters. A repair company will address the structural issues under warranty coverage.
The pool, which was last fully drained in April during Trump-era renovations and refilled earlier this month, continues to face ongoing maintenance challenges despite the recent overhaul.
BBC has reached out to DC Water and the National Park Service for comment.
Constructed in the 1920s, the 2,030-foot (619-meter) reflecting pool stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument has historically suffered from persistent leaks, structural deterioration, aging plumbing, algae growth, and bird contamination.
Despite the recent renovation, algae problems persist and issues with the deep blue paint added during the Trump administration have emerged, with sections now peeling and floating to the surface where visitors collect them.
National Park Service staff have introduced hydrogen peroxide treatments to combat algae growth, while paint deterioration continues to be visible on the water’s surface.
President Trump echoed warnings from DC’s US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who has vowed aggressive prosecution of individuals responsible for the damage.
In a Truth Social post, Trump warned: “Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things – Which will be fully enforced!”
Later Tuesday, Trump told reporters that someone had cut a 350-foot (107-meter) slit in the pool and potentially introduced fertilizer, leading to algae proliferation.
“I can’t help it if somebody goes in with a knife and starts hacking it up,” the president said, referencing the approximately $16 million cost of recent upgrades.
Trump indicated Tuesday that the pool may require a second draining and refilling this month following his helicopter observation of the site during the return from Camp David.
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