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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumspool renovation expert had seen it coming - the algae bloom in the relecting pool was inevitable when painted a dark co
https://www.rawstory.com/reflecting-pool-hydrogen-peroxide/A pool renovation expert had seen it coming. Canadian specialist Steve Goodale, known as "Swimming Pool Steve," warned the Washingtonian that darker paint absorbs more sunlight, raises water temperature, and makes algae blooms inevitable.
"'If we change nothing else except the color, and we go from a lighter color to a darker color, absolutely you're going to have more prolific algae growth,'" Goodale said. "'It's a foregone conclusion.'"
"'Y'all, not to be a huge nerd but for the reflecting pool you would need a minimum of about 8,000 liters of 12% hydrogen peroxide to reach the 50 parts per million concentration to kill algae,'" Dr. Michael O'Brien, a South Carolina pediatrician, wrote on X. "Is this what happens when you have 0 scientists in your administration? 9th
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Ocelot II
(131,696 posts)At this rate that's going to take awhile.
allegorical oracle
(6,663 posts)
BlueWaveNeverEnd
(15,368 posts)
LogDog75
(1,439 posts)
PCIntern
(28,753 posts)
RockRaven
(19,984 posts)I'm curious what the calculation would be on how long it would take for the algae in a pool of that size and starting concentration to regrow whatever fraction of the algae population which would be destroyed/neutralized by 36 gallons. Would it even be measured in days, or just hours?
RedWhiteBlueIsRacist
(2,402 posts)
Attilatheblond
(9,432 posts)Can't you make AI that makes the pool LOOK like it's OK?
yellowcanine
(36,875 posts)
Attilatheblond
(9,432 posts)AI would have a very young Mickey Rooney suggesting "I know, let's have a SHOW!"
Worst idea any American had was to create a 'reality show' where Trump pretends to be a smart businessman. That blue suit guy took it seriously and convinced a lot of really dumb people to put him in the White House so he could fire characters they didn't like.
ShazzieB
(23,042 posts)"Worst idea any American had was to create a 'reality show' where Trump pretends to be a smart businessman. That blue suit guy took it seriously and convinced a lot of really dumb people to put him in the White House so he could fire characters they didn't like."
I absolutely agree with this. It explains so much, like why he had a ready-made base just waiting to be deployed, and why they were so ready to believe anything he said. The producers of that show had no idea what kind of monster they were creating.
yellowcanine
(36,875 posts)
ProfessorGAC
(77,587 posts)The water in the pipes, sitting static, concentrated the algae.
Once the valves were opened, the first several hundred gallons of water had loads of algae that hadn't had any exposure to oxygen (bad for algae).
Since it's not soluble, diffusion doesn't apply, so those concentrated colonies has a chance to bloom wildly.
The added temperature, of course, does matter.
But, the higher temperature could have been ameliorated by the addition of about a half-gallon of hypochlorite bleach while still in the pipes.
99+% of the algae would have been dead before it went into the pond. Simple filtration makes it a non-issue.
This was done very sloppily.
BlueWaveNeverEnd
(15,368 posts)Ocelot II
(131,696 posts)Warm, still water, with duck and goose poo for fertilizer = algae. It's been a problem ever since the pool was built, and just painting the damn thing blue didn't improve anything at all.
ProfessorGAC
(77,587 posts)It requires treatments like those used in cooling towers.
Algae in a cooling tower is death to heat transfer system (causes bad fouling), so has to be controlled and it is, tge world over.
progressoid
(53,487 posts)Green snacks...?
Green crackers...?
Algae green...?
vanlassie
(6,286 posts)It has a truthy ring to it.
progressoid
(53,487 posts)
erronis
(24,848 posts)They are hard to avoid in the DC downtown area - tidal pools, etc.
Dr. T
(800 posts)
GenThePerservering
(4,004 posts)and be biglier!
Attilatheblond
(9,432 posts)
Farmer-Rick
(12,836 posts)Algae dies in dark pipes. I move my water for animals into underground storage during summer to prevent algae growth so rapid that it blooms immediately when I pump it into their troughs.
The brilliant pedo Trump administration pumped the new water from an open water source with algae already in it. (Perhaps the Potomac or Anacostia rivers?) And it merely grew and thrived in the extra heat.
Most algae will die in about 7 days in the dark. Some very hardy types of algae will take about 2 weeks to die. But algae does not grow or survive in dark pipes. The pool was empty for about 6 weeks. Long enough to kill most all algae.
They should consider covering it with a black out tarp. That will kill it in about 2 weeks. Though I can't imagine a blackout tarp that big.
Also a salt pool would be more environmentally safe than all the chemicals they are pouring into the pool.
This is what happens when scientists are removed from the equation.
Ocelot II
(131,696 posts)the algae would come back. And some kinds of algae grow in salt water. There's no getting rid of algae permanently as long as you have un-aerated warm water, and you can't aerate a reflection pool if you want it to reflect.
Farmer-Rick
(12,836 posts)From off ducks, from spores on the wind, from food dropped by animals.
But it doesn't come from dark pipes or underground storage.
Algae spores are very hardy and that's why people who don't understand photosynthesis think it comes from underground pipes. It's the spores that remain in the dark that rehabitates water once they are exposed to the right conditions.A dark bottom stagnant pool is just what they need.
Yeah there are some very resilient algaes that can thrive in salt water and without light. But it is very rare.
They should have started treatment as soon as they were done pumping. But I still think a salt pool might be the answer.
Ocelot II
(131,696 posts)Salt water isn't the solution. It's extremely corrosive and would require even more maintenance than the existing system. The electrolytic properties of dissolved salt will destroy metal components and damage stone and cement materials.
ProfessorGAC
(77,587 posts)An inorganic mechanism of metathesis exchanges the calcium ions with sodium in tge salt.
This destroys the crystal matrix because it's monovalent.
It causes bad crumbling.
As to pipes and pumps, cast iron is preferred. Stainless steel us a hard no.
The issue with pumps comes in when the system is static. Concentration gradients occur and the salt precipitates and it becomes a grinding compound for the impeller.
For some products, we had brine solutions but those had to be kept circulating. If pump maintenance was needed, those lines were drained and flushed so static periods were only fresh water.
Farmer-Rick
(12,836 posts)He had no problems with concrete deterioration. The salinity wasn't very high and the lining of the pool was something special for salt pools.
But I've seen road salt tear up my concrete parking pad so I understand what you are saying.
And as some have pointed out, there are a lot of algae adapted to salt water. Though my brother's pool never had a problem with algae. He lived near the ocean where the spores for salt adapted algae were probably more abundant.
ProfessorGAC
(77,587 posts)I think a monolithic lining would work well.
The brine solution we used in specialty blends was always stored in plastic tanks.
Same with those at consumer product formulations sites. (Shampoo, dishwash, body wash geld, etc.) Salt water is used to cause micellar structures to control viscosity. Nobody wants a shampoo that just runs through their fingers. 
At a couple less diligent sites, they had leaks around the pump flanges and sure enough, The concrete was spalled badly. Of course, these brine solutions are 18-20% NaCl, which is 5 to 6 times that of seawater. So, much harsher on concrete.
Farmer-Rick
(12,836 posts)Swimming pools are also very corrosive.
I had no idea salt water adapted algae was so widespread. Damn it seems to be everywhere now that I'm looking for it. So, I guess using salt wouldn't solve the problem.
Kali
(56,965 posts)it is actually a chlorine system. "conventional" salt water pools use an electrolysis system to split the salt molecule and create chlorine gas which sanitizes the water. it cycles back to salt as it is used in the oxidation process. lots of algae grow in the salt water of oceans/seas etc. most seaweed is in fact algae.
Farmer-Rick
(12,836 posts)Salt pools are actually chlorine pools. Hmm, no idea seaweed is algae. I always thought all that green stuff in the ocean was seaweed, now I know it's algae too.
But the real issue is that the Park Service spokes person claimed the algae was growing in the underground pipes and that's why the reflection pond had algae. Algae has to have light to grow. It won't grow in those pipes. It's the spores that could survive and be brought in by the wind.
Kali
(56,965 posts)green algae needs light and that spokesfool is clearly a magat with no understanding of biology or pool maintenance.
ProfessorGAC
(77,587 posts)But, some algae can go dormant for more than a week.
In general though, you are correct about needing light.
kurtyboy
(1,021 posts)How well does black tarp reflect the monuments?
Instead, replace the water with a giant mirror. Do it, Mr. President!! A big, beautiful mirror, the biggest in the world!! And then you can starve to death staring at your own image like the Greek myth guy--what was his name, again? Neville? Nar-something, I think...
FakeNoose
(42,872 posts)But even the so-called fresh water would have gone green if it sits in the sun all day, and it's not moving.
Most of us know this, but almost 250 years ago Washington, DC was built on top of a swamp so ....
calimary
(91,302 posts)
kentuck
(115,949 posts)I did have a little stream with a fish pond in my back yard at one time. The algae was a problem.
Ocelot II
(131,696 posts)Maybe the reflecting pool needs a whole lot of snails?
tanyev
(49,893 posts)If people just respected President Trump like they should that algae never would have grown!
The Madcap
(2,123 posts)It won't be a reflecting pool any longer. Thanks, T****.
3825-87867
(2,044 posts)I thought it was from "something" else.
After all, he IS right-handed!
wcollar
(217 posts)Have they tried Ivermectin yet?
LuckyLib
(7,057 posts)
70sEraVet
(5,721 posts)Slow-release algae capsules, to spoil trump's birthday?
thomski64
(994 posts)
LuvLoogie
(9,022 posts)
rurallib
(64,919 posts)then you can go look at your beautiful self any time you want.
LogDog75
(1,439 posts)The Orange Turd taking a dip in the Reflecting Pool?
Response to BlueWaveNeverEnd (Original post)
Figarosmom This message was self-deleted by its author.
Figarosmom
(14,482 posts)"Pool guy" is just a fly by night type. I bet he NEVER hires union workers for anything too.
Norrrm
(5,976 posts)Katie Martin, a spokeswoman for the Interior Department, said in a statement, “What you are seeing is residual algae from the supply lines which have been sitting dormant for eight weeks while construction has been taking place. It’s part of the normal startup process. “We are removing the algae, and the nanobubblers will maintain the pool and keep it algae free. President Donald J. Trump is an expert builder who has fixed the Reflecting Pool for good unlike the failed and extremely costly attempt by Obama and Biden.”
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143678867
Traildogbob
(13,286 posts)Food source that promotes algae blooms. Pure shit.
MarcoZandrini
(224 posts)…..ETTD.
Nuf sed
hunter
(40,928 posts)Personally, I'd remake the Capital with a more natural aesthetic. The current scheme emphasizes control over nature -- implicitly setting humankind apart from nature.
If poisoning the water turns out to be the only option maybe we ought to rethink the whole thing.
Traildogbob
(13,286 posts)Is not good for the sensitive life in the water habitat, but most of these blooms takes in a mass amount of carbon.
Many Algae, not all, are photosynthetic organisms.
Maybe he is trying to be a carbon sequestration hero. Don’t tell his fossil fuel anti science Jebus freaks. We can not do good for the planet. It would prolong end of times and the trip to the sky for mansions, streets of gold and all those virgins promised.
Eutrophication feeds and creates massive blooms and Shit is a great source or this. And Washington has lots of shit everywhere. A lot of it in suits, with flags on the lapels.
mwmisses4289
(5,047 posts)Many of the ones who thought they would get raptured got left behind, and are the cause of the tribulations because of their disappointment in being left behind.
Traildogbob
(13,286 posts)Lots of disappointed saints. No virgins for them.
I think we should buy all the circus cannons not in use, and offer free transport to true believers.
Hurry and sign up before all the beach front Mansions with double car golden drive ways are gone. Red hats get front of the line.
LudwigPastorius
(15,205 posts)"Many expert people are saying that Atlantic Industrial is fully to blame for this because of the type of coating they used. The DOJ will be taking them to court for fraud."
Wiz Imp
(10,713 posts)That is absolutely false.
https://www.dovelewis.org/blog/why-you-shouldnt-use-hydrogen-peroxide-your-pet
RockRaven
(19,984 posts)and toxicology people had to waste time telling them "no, no, no!"
niyad
(135,103 posts)RockRaven
(19,984 posts)and blog posts about it. It was a separate episode of stupidity from the bleach thing.
Here is one such from Forbes from Oct 2021:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2021/10/02/stop-inhaling-hydrogen-peroxide-to-try-to-prevent-treat-covid-19-aafa-says/
----------
Notice the graphic of the skull on the bottle. It’s not a good idea to use anything with a skull on the bottle unless you are trying to somehow look like a skull.
That doesn’t mean that you should never use hydrogen peroxide, otherwise known as H2O2 , for anything. You can use it as a disinfectant around the house. For example, hydrogen peroxide can help clean the slobber off of your One Direction statue. It can serve as a mild antiseptic for minor cuts, scrapes, and burns on your skin. Some may use it as a mouth rinse but should seek the guidance of a doctor or dentist before doing so.
Inhaling hydrogen peroxide is a different story, though. The misinformation about Covid-19 on social media can be breathtaking. And inhaling hydrogen peroxide could take your breath away, in a bad way. It could irritate your respiratory tract right down to your lungs. Clearly, irritating your respiratory tract is not a good idea, no matter how angry you are with your lungs. Continued extensive irritation can ultimately cause longer term damage.
GoCubsGo
(35,061 posts)Light breaks down hydrogen peroxide, which is why it comes in brown bottles at the drug store. So does organic matter (e.g., algae). It will also be diluted. There's nothing other than algae (and probably mosquito larvae) living in that pool, so it's not likely to affect any other creatures.
This is not a great solution, but it beats using algacides, which are generally highly toxic, and contain elements that don't break down, like copper. It will be a band-aid, because it doesn't address the actual causes. Until they get rid of that idiotic "flag blue" paint, this problem ain't going away.
Kali
(56,965 posts)no matter what color the bottom is. once the water temp is below 60 degrees or so algae stops growing.
Goonch
(5,854 posts)
Jirel
(2,389 posts)It’s going to wreck the new paint and possibly the surface, depending what it’s coated with. If they plastered it, peroxide can definitely make a mess of that. They are not using enough to kill all that algae, not that it’ll help when more just keeps being added from wind, rain runoff, ducks…
They’re just dumping mass amounts around the rim. Each area will become a hot spot of chemicals, affecting the brand new bottom.
Kid Berwyn
(25,396 posts)Last edited Tue Jun 16, 2026, 05:23 PM - Edit history (1)
No plan and no expertise; just his gut telling Dimdonniechucklenuts that it was the uh right thing to do.
underpants
(197,668 posts)and horrible at both.
Attilatheblond
(9,432 posts)It's not like he's busy at that meeting in France where nobody will talk to him.
underpants
(197,668 posts)and that included looking at swatches.
That’s really all he did before The Apprentice came along.
Wednesdays
(23,386 posts)...and the algae will still grow. All summer.
Good Lord, if you think it looks bad now, just wait a few weeks.
Norrrm
(5,976 posts)(Doctored of course)
Obama's pool was cruddy looking.
Donald's pool was magnificent.
Obama was not in office again so he cannot be blamed.
How did the pool look during Trump's first six months in office?
William Gustafson
(562 posts)Take out all the water and cover the pool with durable mirrors....it will reflect and there is no Alge... just no swimming on the mirrors.... just spitting out some ideas...
And of course, everything Trump touches either dies or gets screwed up, or both....
Raine
(31,257 posts)actually know what they're talking about.
IcyPeas
(25,967 posts)
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(138,519 posts)
Danascot
(5,327 posts)and breaks down into water and oxygen under heat or light, for example Washington DC sun on a summer day. Oxygen facilitates growth of algae, so the addition of hydrogen peroxide to the pool will contribute to the growth of more algae.
This entire misadventure is a metaphor for the trump administration.
Trueblue Texan
(4,698 posts) 
evemac
(332 posts)Everything he gets his hands on turns to crap.
Srkdqltr
(10,085 posts)
ChicagoTeamster
(1,434 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(183,554 posts)trump is not a good builder and ruined the reflecting pond. trump's attempts to fix the pond are really funny
Workers were spotted dumping hydrogen peroxide by the gallon into the Reflecting Pool days after President Donald Trump's .2 million renovation turned it green.
— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2026-06-16T14:00:26Z
https://www.rawstory.com/reflecting-pool-hydrogen-peroxide/
CBS News journalist Bob Kovach was on the ground at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Tuesday morning. He posted a video of gallon jugs labeled "hydrogen peroxide" lined up at the water's edge, with workers kneeling beside them and pouring the chemical straight in. The pool, which Trump had painted "American flag blue" and refilled just 12 days ago, has since turned a mossy green.
Anonymous, an X account with 7.5 million followers, posted its own video of the scene. "'They're literally dumping hydrogen peroxide into the reflecting pool this morning,'" the account wrote.....
"'Y'all, not to be a huge nerd but for the reflecting pool you would need a minimum of about 8,000 liters of 12% hydrogen peroxide to reach the 50 parts per million concentration to kill algae,'" Dr. Michael O'Brien, a South Carolina pediatrician, wrote on X. "Is this what happens when you have 0 scientists in your administration?"
"'They are now pouring bottles of hydrogen peroxide into the ultra-green algae-filled Reflecting Pool that Trump wasted $10m of our money on,'" commentator Brian Krassenstein piled on.
MineralMan
(151,945 posts)If I understand correctly, the pool was lined with natural stone. It is very unlikely that whatever coating they applied will adhere for long on that rock, even if it were cleaned and treated properly. Before too many years go by, that coating will flake off the stone. Then, it will either have to be recoated or have the coating removed through sandblasting or some other method.
The color change from a light-colored stone to a dark blue will also raise the temperature of the water in the pool. That will promote the growth of algae, which will continue to appear, regardless of what treatment is used to kill it. Birds will bring more algae in on their feathers to start the process all over again. It's a natural cycle.
Trump is a moron, and took advice from people who profited greatly by coating that pool. Did they kick back some of what they were paid to Trump? That would not surprise me, either.
Anyhow, it should have been left alone with the stone surface left as it was originally designed.
Did I say that Trump is a moron?