President Donald Trump has ordered an immediate programme of repairs for the National Mall's Reflecting Pool, which has been blighted by persistent algal blooms. The directive, issued from the Oval Office on Tuesday, instructs the National Park Service to begin work within 30 days. British landscape specialists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, have been invited to consult on the rehabilitation.
The Reflecting Pool, a 2,029-foot-long shallow basin between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has suffered recurrent outbreaks of algae and duckweed in recent years. The condition has been exacerbated by warm weather and nutrient runoff. Mr Trump described the pool as an embarrassment and demanded a swift restoration to its original state.
A White House statement said the president had authorised $18 million from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America fund. The money will be used to dredge sediment, install new filtration systems, and replant surrounding turf. The National Park Service will oversee the project with technical guidance from Kew experts, who have experience managing historic water features at sites such as the Great Conservatory.
Dr. Alistair Finch, head of aquatic landscapes at Kew, said the team would advise on sustainable algae control methods, including barley straw treatment and aeration systems. The pool has been drained for cleaning twice in the past decade, but the problems have returned within months. Officials hope the British approach will offer a more durable solution.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions. Environmental groups have criticised the use of federal funds for cosmetic improvements. The Centre for Biological Diversity described it as a vanity project. However, supporters argue that the pool is a national symbol and deserves proper maintenance.
Mr Trump's intervention follows a series of public complaints about the pool's appearance, which he raised during a tour of the Mall last month. The deadline for completion is set for 1 July, ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. The National Park Service has said it will provide weekly progress updates.
British involvement in the project has been framed as an example of soft power collaboration. The UK Foreign Office confirmed that the advisory role was offered in response to a request from the White House. A spokesperson said it reflected the strong bilateral relationship.
Work is expected to begin within a fortnight. The pool will remain closed to the public until the project is finished.
