TrumpCo. is dumping gallons of hydrogen peroxide in National Mall reflecting pool to combat algae growth caused by Trump's $14 million 'renovation'
- Thread starter Cypress
- Start date
If so that smacks of desperation.....this is not a long term solution and maybe not even a short term solution as you mentioned.
It's effectively pissing into the wind.
T. A. Gardner
Serial Thread Killer
I'd say a good fix would be to have strong circulation of the water in the pool along with aeration, but that likely would mess with the 'reflective' nature of it. Circulation would reduce algae growth along with help move nutrients that cause it out of the pool for filtration. Aeration would also help with reducing algae alone with some mitigation of nutrients through oxygenation.
Leave it to Trump to turn the waters of America's National Mall into a chemical brew that will probably harm birds and wildlife that try to drink it.
Grok:
This is fearmongering that ignores science and official assessments.
The Treatment and Its Properties
- Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is being used as a short-term "shock" oxidizer alongside the new ozone nanobubble filtration system. It kills algae by generating oxygen radicals and then rapidly decomposes into plain water + oxygen — leaving no toxic residue.
- Officials (National Park Service / Department of the Interior) explicitly state it is a milder alternative to chlorine, commonly used in spas, natural swimming pools, and outdoor water features, with "no harmful side effects to marine life or to the environment."
Wildlife Safety (Birds, Ducks, etc.)
- The pool is enormous (~6.75 million gallons). Even with visible gallon jugs of ~12% solution, the final concentration is heavily diluted. Experts (including aquatic biologists) confirm this level is not a threat to ducks, geese, and birds that frequent the pool.
- Hydrogen peroxide is actually recommended by wildlife experts for cleaning birdbaths and fountains precisely because it is relatively safe and breaks down harmlessly.
- Ducks and birds have been using the pool for decades (including during past algae blooms and treatments under prior administrations). No reports of harm from this specific application.
Context on the "Chemical Brew"
- This isn't a novel or reckless brew — it's a standard, targeted response to a predictable algae bloom in a shallow (1.5–2.5 ft), sun-exposed reflecting pool. The same pool has required similar maintenance for over a century, including after the 2012 renovation.
- The renovation added modern filtration aimed at reducing future chemical needs, while fixing leaks.
Grok:
This is partisan speculation laced with some verifiable facts but heavy on unproven implications.
Here's the breakdown:
What Checks Out
- No-bid / sole-source contract: Yes. The National Park Service awarded the work to Atlantic Industrial Coatings (Virginia-based) without competitive bidding, citing urgency for the July 4, 2026, 250th anniversary events. Trump publicly referenced knowing the contractor from pool work at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.
- Cost escalation: Trump initially touted ~$1.8 million and quick work. The final amount reached ~$13–14.2 million (including related filtration). A NPS analysis flagged the contractor's 20% profit margin as inflated (typical 6–12%), adding ~$850k+ extra.
- Contractor background: Atlantic Industrial Coatings specializes in industrial waterproofing/coatings (tanks, pipes, roofs, etc.), not primarily public pools or massive reflecting pools. This was reportedly their first major federal contract.
Rebuttals and Context
- "Hotel pool guy" and "in over his head": Overstated. The firm has industrial expertise relevant to waterproofing leaks in the old pool (a documented long-term problem). The algae bloom is not primarily their fault—it's a recurring issue in this shallow (~1.5–2.5 ft), sun-exposed, nutrient-fed pool since the 1920s. It happened after the 2012 Obama-era renovation too. The bloom ties more to post-construction startup (residual spores in lines + warm June weather) than the coating itself. The new ozone nanobubble system aims to fix chronic problems.
- "Oversized" and "kickback": Cost overruns and high margins warrant scrutiny (standard criticism of no-bid deals). However, no public evidence of personal kickback, corruption, or illegal profiteering by Trump. Allegations are from opponents (e.g., Sen. Blumenthal probes, lawsuits from preservation groups). Trump and Interior officials argue it was far cheaper/faster than prior estimates ($300M+ over years) and necessary for the anniversary.
- "Dump peroxide in the Strait": Pure snark. The hydrogen peroxide is a standard, short-term, eco-friendly algae shock treatment that breaks down into water + oxygen. It's not a scandal or sign of incompetence.
Bottom line: The no-bid process, cost growth, and contractor tie to Trump invite legitimate oversight questions—common in rushed government projects. But framing it as Trump installing incompetence or pocketing kickbacks while "turning the Mall into a swamp" ignores the pool's century-old maintenance realities, the added filtration upgrades, and lack of proof on personal gain. This is typical partisan escalation from a photogenic maintenance hiccup. The water is being treated and should improve.
Actually at that dilution and in direct sunlight and summer heat it will be gone in minutes, denatured into water and oxygen so it's unlikely to harm wildlife but by the same token it's not gonna do anything about the algae either.
Grok:
Crepitus is largely correct on the chemistry, with some important caveats for real-world effectiveness in the Reflecting Pool.
Hydrogen Peroxide Breakdown
The treatment currently being applied (visible in videos of workers dumping gallon jugs) is hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), described by the Interior Department and NPS as a milder alternative to chlorine, commonly used in spas and natural swimming pools.The reaction is exactly as Crepitus states:2 H₂O₂ → 2 H₂O + O₂ (water + oxygen).
- Sunlight and heat accelerate this: UV light (photocatalysis) and warm summer temperatures cause rapid decomposition. In a shallow, sun-exposed pool like the Reflecting Pool (~4 million gallons, very shallow), properly diluted H₂O₂ can break down in minutes to hours rather than persisting.
- Wildlife impact: At typical treatment dilutions and with fast breakdown, it's considered low-risk to birds, fish, or other wildlife in the Tidal Basin-connected system—far gentler than chlorine. Officials emphasize "no harmful side effects to marine life or the environment."
Effectiveness Against Algae
Here Crepitus is also mostly right — it’s limited as a standalone fix.Hydrogen peroxide acts as an oxidizer that can kill some algae and bacteria on contact by damaging cell walls, especially green algae. However:- In a massive, nutrient-rich, stagnant, sunlit reflecting pool fed by Tidal Basin water, a few gallons of (likely 12% or similar) consumer-grade peroxide provides only localized, temporary shock. It may clear visible clumps quickly via oxidation and bubbling but won’t eradicate the root causes: ongoing nutrient inputs, residual algae from dormant lines, birds, warmth, and lack of full circulation/pipe fixes.
- It’s being used in combination with the new ozone nanobubbler system (which generates oxygen/oxidizing species for longer-term control) and manual vacuuming/skimming. Officials call the peroxide a startup aid for the current residual bloom.
T. A. Gardner
Serial Thread Killer
Then use bromine and copper sulfate. The later is extremely effective against algae, and makes the water taste bad to birds and insects so they won't use it. Bromine doesn't evaporate like chlorine does, and while there are drawbacks, in this case they really aren't an issue.
I put some copper sulfate in my pool to keep paper wasps out because, for some reason, they use my pool as a watering hole pretty regularly. Not a lot, just enough to make the water taste bad.
I put some copper sulfate in my pool to keep paper wasps out because, for some reason, they use my pool as a watering hole pretty regularly. Not a lot, just enough to make the water taste bad.
Althea
Althea told me...
The pool was leaking millions of gallons per year. 100 years ago they didn't do the best job with the planning/construction. Last time it was addressed was in 2012.
Algae is going to be a thing in hot weather. I think they should stock it with Koi.
There is no oxygen.
Althea
Althea told me...
Given that the pool reflects better with dark water, they should use the product I have tried in my small recirculating pond. It blocks UV rays and kills all vegetation. It killed my lily pads even though their leaves floated on top of the water. It prevents photosynthesis, but it turns the water dark blue. The pool might be better off dark blue in the summer months.
I would load it with goldfish or koi. They devour algae.
This is a nasty dark ago....which means by definition the people tend to suck.....I do what I can but for the most part there must be a teaching contract.