Reflecting Pool to be drained as Trump again blames 'vandals' for recent troubles

Reflecting Pool to be drained as Trump again blames 'vandals' for recent troubles5 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleSareen HabeshianGetty ImagesThe Reflecting Pool in Washington is set to be drained again just weeks after a multi-million dollar renovation was completed, as US President Donald Trump blames vandals for problems that have emerged recently.Trump said on Monday that the pool "has been given a 300 foot long gash", while someone has put chemicals illegally in the water and new grass has been destroyed. But he did not give specific details of who he believed hurt the landmark.Since its recent upgrades, which Trump said cost about $16 million (£12 million), the pool's water has turned bright green from algae and its blue paint has peeled off.Meanwhile, Trump also threatened to sue ABC News over its reporting on the pool.Why has the renovated Reflecting Pool turned green?The DC Water authority said on Monday that it issued a permit to drain the pool, according to Reuters. The repair company has said it will fix the rectangular structure as part of its warranty.BBC has contacted the DC Water authority and the National Park Service for comment.The Reflecting Pool, built in the 1920s and stretching 2,030ft (619m) between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has long been beset by leaks, structural deterioration, faulty pipes, algae growth and bird droppings.But despite the makeover, the pool has continued to be plagued by algae problems and developed issues with the deep blue paint Trump had added to its bottom.In recent days, National Park Service staff has poured hydrogen peroxide into the water to try to get rid of the algae, while sections of paint are now appearing to peel off and float toward the surface, where visitors are scooping them out.Trump on Monday echoed a threat from US Attorney for Washington DC Jeanine Pirro, who vowed to aggressively prosecute anyone found to have damaged the pool.The preside...