The Reflecting Pool Water’s Fine

The Reflecting Pool Water's Fine initiative launched on April 15, 2024, aiming to improve water quality in the National Mall's historic reflecting pool. This project, a collaboration between the National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, involves the installation of a new filtration system designed to remove sediment and algae. The system utilizes a combination of mechanical filtration and UV sterilization, a technology previously tested in smaller water features. The initiative received $1.2 million in funding from private donors, including a significant contribution from the Mellon Foundation. The project is expected to take 18 months to complete, with the goal of making the water significantly clearer by the summer of 2025. This effort is part of a broader strategy to preserve and enhance the iconic landscape of Washington D.C.'s National Mall, ensuring its aesthetic appeal and ecological health for future generations. The National Park Service stated that the improved water clarity will also benefit the aquatic life within the pool.