The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is one of the most recognizable bodies of water in the world. Stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, the century-old basin has served as the backdrop for presidential inaugurations, historic speeches, protests, celebrations, and countless photographs. It is as much a piece of American history as the monuments it reflects.

For decades, however, one of the most iconic pools in America has struggled with persistent algae blooms, water clarity issues, leaks, and aging infrastructure. Those problems have led multiple administrations to explore several rehabilitation projects over the years.

Now, with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration approaching, the Trump administration has accelerated plans to renovate the pool once again, setting an ambitious timeline intended to have the project completed in time for Fourth of July festivities in Washington, D.C.

The project has generated significant discussion within both preservation and aquatic industry circles. To better understand the challenges involved, Pool Magazine spoke with Tim Auerhahn, Chairman of the Aquatic Council, who was recently interviewed by The New York Times regarding the project. Auerhahn has worked on numerous high-profile aquatic facilities, including projects at Camp David and other government installations.

His perspective offers insight into both the opportunities and concerns surrounding one of the most closely watched aquatic renovations in the country.

A Unique Aquatic Challenge

For those outside the pool industry, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool may appear to be little more than a long decorative basin. According to Auerhahn, that perception couldn’t be further from reality.

“This is an enormous project on several fronts,” Auerhahn explained. “For any pool contractor that’s working on it, it’s probably going to go down as their largest pool renovation project ever.”

The reflecting pool is approximately six million gallons and more than a third of a mile long. Unlike traditional swimming pools that gain volume through length, width, and depth, the reflecting pool derives most of its volume through its extraordinary length while remaining relatively shallow.

“You’re looking at a body of water that’s about a foot and a half to three feet deep at any given point,” said Auerhahn. “It’s a very shallow body of water, too, which really lends itself to notable algae blooms.”

The combination of shallow depth, summer heat, sunlight exposure, environmental issues, and sheer size creates conditions that make algae control extremely difficult. Those challenges have existed for more than a century.

Why Previous Renovations Didn’t Solve the Problem

The last major rehabilitation project was completed in 2012 following a roughly two-year reconstruction effort that cost approximately $34 million. That project focused heavily on structural concerns, including installing thousands of support pilings beneath the basin.

While the work addressed settlement and leakage concerns, algae problems returned almost immediately.

“Right away, when they reopened it in 2012, just a couple weeks later, the algae was back,” Auerhahn noted. “If you want it to be a really crystal clear body of water, structure, surface, and mechanical equipment all need to be considered in a restoration or a renovation.”

From his viewpoint, solving the algae issue requires a comprehensive approach that addresses circulation, filtration, chemistry, waterproofing, and structural integrity simultaneously.

The Coating That Started the Debate

Much of the current discussion centers around the decision to coat the basin with a polyurea-based lining system.

President Trump initially described the project as a relatively straightforward effort to “paint” the reflecting pool blue, a characterization that immediately drew criticism from aquatic professionals.

Auerhahn became one of the most quoted experts on the topic after telling The New York Times that “painting is not going to solve that problem.”

His concern wasn’t that the coating would fail as a waterproofing material. Rather, he questioned whether it addressed the underlying issues that have plagued the reflecting pool for decades.

“If we’re gonna fix the algae problem and we’re going to use a sealant on this basin, that’s ultimately not going to address the real problem,” he explained.

He believes the darker blue surface may improve appearance in the short term and even make algae less noticeable, but that it won’t eliminate the biological conditions that create algae blooms in the first place.

“I think when late September rolls around, and Washington, D.C. has been baking in 90-degree heat, we’re probably gonna see a pretty significant algae bloom again in this body of water unless a whole bunch of other things are addressed.”

What About Filtration and Circulation?

One area where Auerhahn believes meaningful progress could be made is through modernization of the reflecting pool’s circulation and treatment systems.

The previous renovation in 2012 introduced new equipment that draws water from the Tidal Basin rather than relying on municipal water supplies. However, aquatic technology has advanced significantly over the past decade.

“I think what we have done in a decade and a half in filtration, chemical delivery systems, advanced oxidation, and circulation of this basin, we could probably move in a direction where this looks more like crystal clear water for longer periods of time.”

When asked what technologies might be most effective, Auerhahn pointed to ozone and ultraviolet systems.

“There does seem to be a company consulting on this from an ozone generation perspective,” he said. “Advanced oxidation through UV or ozone might be the better way to go, and with that, chemical balance supported by the right circulation system, and ultimately everything being fed through a better filtration system.”

In his opinion, upgrading the equipment might ultimately have a greater impact on water clarity than resurfacing the basin itself.

Questions About Rhino Pipeliner 5000

Another area drawing scrutiny is the specific coating selected for the project.

According to Auerhahn, the material being used, called Rhino Pipeliner 5000, is a product manufactured by the same Rhino known for their popular truck bed liners.

“That’s probably what they’re best known for,” Auerhahn said.

After researching the product and consulting industry professionals, he found little evidence of widespread use in large aquatic applications.

“I proposed it in a whole bunch of pool groups. I said, ‘Has anybody used this? Has anybody seen anybody use it?’ I kind of got crickets.”

His concerns extend beyond simple familiarity. He notes the product lacks peer-reviewed testing specific to several conditions that are highly relevant to the reflecting pool.

According to Auerhahn, there are unanswered questions regarding long-term UV exposure, chemical resistance, adhesion to granite surfaces, and how the coating could eventually be removed if future preservationists decide to restore the basin to its original appearance.

“There are a lot of question marks,” he said.

Among them are reports of bubbling, cracking, uneven appearance, and color inconsistency observed during installation.

“If we decide to remove this product at some point in the future… what have we done to that historical granite?”

Those unknowns remain one of the primary concerns among preservation-minded observers.

Another Leading Expert Weighs In

To gain additional perspective, Pool Magazine also reached out to renowned pool construction expert Paolo Benedetti.

Benedetti, a renowned pool builder, industry expert, and current Watershape University educator, offered a somewhat different assessment.

He noted that polyurea is widely regarded as a durable waterproofing material and has been successfully used in surge tanks and other demanding aquatic applications.

According to Benedetti, the material should hold up structurally and may actually be one of the few practical options available, given the immense scale of the project.

He did, however, acknowledge that UV exposure will likely cause the blue color to fade over time.

Benedetti also pointed out that alternative finishes, such as plaster, would likely deteriorate quickly under the heavy public use the reflecting pool experiences. More durable alternatives, such as large-format porcelain or stone, would dramatically increase both project cost and timeline.

Auerhahn largely agrees with that assessment.

“If you’re just focused on waterproofing this structure, this is a really reasonable solution,” he said. “I do think it’s going to slow the water loss significantly.”

His concern remains whether waterproofing was truly the primary issue being solved.

The Challenge of “Trump Speed”

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the project has been its timeline.

The renovation was publicly announced in late April, with construction activity beginning almost immediately. Officials initially targeted May 22 for completion, a date that has already passed.

While some observers have criticized the accelerated pace, Auerhahn cautions against viewing the discussion through a political lens.

“This isn’t a political issue,” explained Auerhahn, “usually, with restoration projects of this nature, the process is going to be slow, and the solution is going to involve peer review. Because ultimately we want to make sure we get it right.”

Auerhahn noted that major restoration projects in Washington, D.C. typically involve architects, historians, preservation experts, engineers, landscape architects, the fine arts commission, and aquatic specialists working together to ensure decisions are made thoughtfully.

That level of review helps answer difficult questions surrounding materials, aesthetics, longevity, reversibility, and preservation.

The concern for some observers is that the accelerated schedule may not have allowed enough time for those conversations to ever occur.

Will It Be Ready For July 4?

Despite his reservations, Auerhahn believes the project is likely to meet its ultimate goal.

“From what I saw, they seemed to be almost done,” he said after visiting the site in person.

By his estimate, roughly 95 percent of the basin had already been coated as of his visit in early June.

“I do think at Trump speed, they got this done for the 250th.”

Barring unforeseen complications, visitors attending July Fourth celebrations will likely see a newly coated reflecting pool filled with water and ready for public viewing.

Whether the solution proves successful over the long term remains another question entirely.

A Quick Fix or a Lasting Restoration?

In the end, Auerhahn sees a distinction between achieving a short-term visual improvement and executing a true historic restoration.

“If this was a quick fix and if the messaging was, ‘We want this to look great this summer for this event,’ they did that,” he said.

Water, after all, remains remarkably forgiving. Freshly filled and newly resurfaced, the reflecting pool will almost certainly produce beautiful photographs and dramatic reflections.

But questions remain about long-term color retention, UV exposure, chemical resistance, algae control, future removability, and the impact on the original granite surfaces beneath the coating.

Those are questions that simply cannot be answered yet.

As one of America’s most visible aquatic landmarks enters its next chapter, the industry will be watching closely—not just to see how it looks this summer, but how it performs in the years to come.

Ready to take a deeper dive?

Listen to our entire conversation with Tim Auerhahn on the Pool Magazine Podcast.

A neglected swimming pool sitting on property owned by Micron Technology has finally been filled in nearly three years after the company purchased the site — ending a situation that neighbors and pool safety professionals had warned posed serious risks.

According to recent reports, construction crews this week demolished the boarded-up home on Henry Clay Boulevard in Clay, New York, and filled the abandoned in-ground swimming pool with gravel after months of concerns over stagnant water, mosquitoes, and public safety hazards.

The property had remained vacant since Micron purchased it in August 2023 as part of the company’s massive semiconductor expansion project in Central New York.

A Dangerous Situation Drawing Attention

For pool industry professionals, the story highlights a recurring issue involving abandoned residential pools and the liabilities they can quickly create when properties sit unattended for extended periods.

“You have an unoccupied property that has a potential dangerous condition,” said Wendy Purser of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance in comments to Syracuse.com last month.

Neighbors reportedly complained the pool had become filled with stagnant water and leaves while remaining openly accessible for months. Concerns ranged from accidental drownings to mosquito infestations and waterborne health issues.

Under New York state building codes, residential swimming pools are required to be maintained in a “clean and sanitary condition.” Local regulations in the Town of Clay reportedly go even further, requiring abandoned pools to be filled to ground level and reported to the town codes office.

Town Officials Step In

According to the report, town officials were initially unaware of the condition of the property until contacted by reporters in April. Following an inspection, the town secured the property by locking the gate surrounding the pool area.

The situation also drew the attention of local health officials. Onondaga County had reportedly planned mosquito treatment measures for the stagnant water after concerns emerged over disease-carrying insects breeding in the pool.

Two weeks after the issue became public, a spokesperson for Micron stated that demolition and pool removal had already been planned as part of the company’s broader redevelopment work.

What Is Micron Building in New York?

Micron reportedly paid $500,000 for the property, which will ultimately be used to support underground infrastructure connected to the company’s planned semiconductor manufacturing campus.

While many outside the tech industry may not recognize the name, Micron Technology is one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers in the United States. The company produces memory and storage chips used in everything from smartphones and laptops to AI systems, cloud computing infrastructure, vehicles, and advanced electronics.

Its planned New York expansion has been described as a semiconductor “megafab” project that could eventually total roughly $100 billion in investment. The Clay development north of Syracuse is expected to create thousands of jobs while dramatically expanding domestic chip manufacturing capacity in the United States.

The first fabrication facility is currently expected to come online later this decade after delays pushed back earlier timelines. Micron has indicated the broader campus could eventually include four separate chipmaking plants.

Why Abandoned Pools Become a Serious Liability

While the scale of the development may be enormous, the abandoned pool became an example of how quickly neglected aquatic environments can become liabilities — particularly when ownership changes hands and residential properties sit dormant.

For pool professionals, the story reinforces an issue the industry has long emphasized: an unused swimming pool still requires active maintenance, monitoring, and secure barriers regardless of whether the property is occupied.

Standing water in abandoned pools can rapidly become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, algae, bacteria, and other contaminants. At the same time, unsecured pools remain one of the most serious accidental drowning risks for children.

Industry experts frequently point out that even pools awaiting demolition or redevelopment must still comply with local safety and sanitation requirements.

Ultimately, crews resolved the situation by removing the pool entirely — bringing an end to a problem that had drawn increasing scrutiny from neighbors, health officials, and pool safety advocates alike.

COVINGTON, LA., May 14, 2026 — POOLCORP, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and outdoor living products, recently announced the appointment of John Watwood as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Watwood joined the company in January 2026 as Executive Vice President and has quickly made an impact after spending much of his time in POOLCORP sales centers, meeting with customers, engaging with suppliers, and aligning closely with teams across the business. With extensive leadership experience in industrial and specialty distribution, Watwood brings a deep understanding of how to build high-performing teams, strengthen customer connections, and create long-term value in the industry.

Prior to joining POOLCORP, Watwood served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations at Motion Industries, a leading distributor of industrial parts and value-added solutions and a subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company. During his career, he has led large-scale sales and operations organizations focused on customer growth, supply chain excellence, and market expansion.

“John has gained the trust of our employees, customers, and suppliers in a very short period of time,” said Kenny St. Romain, Senior Vice President at POOLCORP. “He understands distribution at its core, but more importantly, he understands the value of relationships and the local support that our customers need. Our field teams have seen firsthand his commitment to listening, supporting our customers, and helping us continue to evolve our already successful service model. There’s real excitement across the organization about where we’re headed under John’s leadership.”

Watwood’s appointment marks the next chapter for POOLCORP as the company continues to invest in customer-focused solutions, sales and service excellence, operational capabilities, and technology-enabled experiences designed to help industry professionals grow and operate more efficiently.

About Pool Corporation

POOLCORP is the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and related outdoor living products. The Company operates approximately 455 sales centers in North America, Europe, and Australia, through which it distributes more than 200,000 products to roughly 125,000 wholesale customers, including pool builders, retail stores, and service professionals. For more information, please visit www.poolcorp.com.