New signage along the perimeter of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is placing the blame on previous administrations for new repairs that needs to be done.
Construction and renovations at the reflecting pool have been off and on since April, with workers addressing problems such as extensive peeling of a new waterproof liner and recurring outbreaks of green algae.
After the Fourth of July, the pool was drained for a second time so workers could once again make repairs for the project that has ballooned in cost.
Water has recently flowed back into the pool, but the Trump administration says it's a part of new work that needs to be done.
What did the Trump administration say about the new project at the Reflecting Pool?
In signage placed around fencing on the National Mall, the U.S. Department of the Interior explained why water
is back in the reflecting pool.
"The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been partially refilled to allow National Park Service staff and contractor's to flush the pool's piping system for the first time in more than a decade," according to the signage shared on social media. "After years of neglect by previous administrations, more than half of the 58 water supply ports were so clogged that they were deemed nonfunctioning. The flushing may temporarily discolor the water as buildup in the pipes is cleaned out."
The signage did not say which administration was responsible for the issues, but previous administrations have included those of Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and even Donald Trump during his first presidency.
The Trump administration previously blamed vandals for damage to the pool, but the U.S. Attorney's Office in DC dropped charges against several people after prosecutors concluded it was contractors, not vandals, that caused the recent issues at the pool.
The pool will remain closed until at least Aug. 10, The New York Times reported.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Reflecting Pool issues: Why are past administrations now being blamed?
