What the Lincoln Memorial’s Algae Problem Teaches Us About Water Feature Maintenance

By now, most of us have seen images of the soupy-green colored Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The algae bloom came just days after the more than $14 million restoration was completed. Ironically, the project began when President Trump ordered the bottom to be painted “American flag blue” to transform it from what he described as “filthy” into a “beautiful” site for the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

It’s yet to be seen whether the sliminess will recede before the 4th of July; however, the calamity does offer some important insights for those of us with water features at home.

“The lesson is pretty familiar,” says home maintenance expert William Boynton. “Green water can show up fast once summer conditions kick in. That does not always mean the whole system is broken, just that water conditions shifted enough for algae to take advantage.”

Here are some takeaways from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool for how you can prevent algae from taking over, and why water features are so hard to maintain in the summer.

What Went Wrong With the Reflecting Pool Renovation?

An Interior Department spokesperson told CNN that it was caused by “residual algae from the supply lines, which had been sitting dormant for eight weeks.” But, many experts have suggested that it’s likely more complicated than that.

Other underlying causes could include which water source was used for refilling the pool, the removal of beneficial bacteria and biofilm, a streak of hot weather and the new darker paint color, which absorbs more sunlight and heat.

Causes of Algae in Water Features

Algae thrives in shallow water where there’s ample sunlight, which is why it’s especially difficult to maintain water features in the the summer. It’s growth is furthered by poor water circulation and nutrients from fertilizer runoff, bird poop and the breakdown of pollen, leaves and grass clippings.

Is Algae Dangerous?

It can be. Besides looking and smelling bad, certain forms of algae are toxic. More commonly, though, the biggest issues at home are clogged filters, damaged pumps and slippery surfaces.

If your water feature uses chlorine, algae can also consume that, allowing more harmful things to grow, which pose health concerns like E. Coli, Legionnaires’ Disease and Norovirus, says water monitoring expert Justin Miller.

Another downside of algae is the ecological damage it can cause by reducing dissolved oxygen levels. “These declines can be so extreme that they kill all fish and other beneficial aquatic life living within your feature,” says home-buying expert Mike Otranto.

How to Keep a Home Water Feature Clean

Algae is a fact of nature, so your goal shouldn’t be to make conditions impossible for it to grow, but rather to keep the water environment balanced, so it can’t take over, says Boynton. “Algae is not always a sign that a water feature is broken. It is often just a sign that nature found an opening,” he says.

That means it’s imperative to say proactive about preventing algae by:

• Skimming out leaves and debris, before they break down in the water.
• Cleaning the filter and pump baskets, at least once a week.
• Keeping water levels high enough to not strain the pump.
• Brushing or cleaning surfaces before slime forms.
• Blocking sunlight with a shade sail or water plants like lily pads, which also take up extra nutrients.
• Ensuring good circulation, so the water gets amply filtered.
• Getting rid of stagnant areas.

Monitoring water chemistry and adding algicides can also be helpful, but circulation and debris management are really the keys, says Boynton, especially since chemicals can be harmful to fish, pets, kids and ecosystems in general. “A mistake I see people make is treating algae like a chemistry-only problem,” he says. “Since algae likes warm, still, nutrient-rich water, if the water is not moving well, or leaves and sludge are sitting at the bottom, chemicals are only going to buy you time.”

What Homeowners Can Learn From the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

No matter how much money and engineering go into a project, there is no substitute for understanding biology. “Aesthetically pleasing layers of blue paint can’t stop nature from doing what it wants to do,” says Otranto.

So, keeping a home water feature from turning green means both not underestimating the power of nature, as well as working with nature to create a balance. That can be particularly hard in the summer, but ultimately it comes down to staying on top all of the small maintenance habits, before it’s too late and water starts to look bad, says Boynton.

“The biggest lesson is that water features are living systems, even when they are manmade and highly designed,” he says. “Homeowners sometimes think a pond, fountain or reflecting pool will mostly take care of itself once the equipment is installed, but it usually does not work that way.”

About the Experts

• William Boynton is founder of HomeScore, a homeowner intelligence platform which analyzes home systems and maintenance trends to help homeowners make better decisions about their property.
• Justin Miller is co-founder and CEO of General Galactic Systems Inc., a creator of smart water monitoring products for consumer and commercial pools and spas, including Crystal Water Monitor. www.generalgalactic.io
• Mike Otranto is owner of Wake County Home Buyers in North Carolina and has worked in real estate for 15 years, helping people buy and sell houses, plus perform repairs and renovations.

The post What the Lincoln Memorial’s Algae Problem Teaches Us About Water Feature Maintenance appeared first on Family Handyman.

Article source here: What the Lincoln Memorial’s Algae Problem Teaches Us About Water Feature Maintenance