Donald Trump’s Washington beautification project has hit an unexpected snag. A restored D.C. fountain is now drawing attention for brown water instead of fresh renovations. The issue surfaced only months after the landmark reopened. Federal officials say the discoloration is temporary and tied to the restoration process, but the sight has already sparked criticism and concern from visitors.
Meridian Hill Park fountain turned brown after reopening under Trump’s D.C. makeover
One of the major renovation projects tied to Trump’s effort to give Washington a facelift before America’s 250th anniversary has run into an unexpected problem. The Cascading Fountain at Meridian Hill Park, which reopened in May following restoration work, has turned an unappealing shade of brown.
According to the National Park Service, the color change happened because sediment was disturbed when water began flowing through pipes that had been out of use for a long time. Officials say the issue is temporary and expect the fountain to return to normal within 24 to 36 hours (via The Daily Beast).
The murky water caught plenty of people off guard, especially those who had recently seen the fountain looking much cleaner. One visitor even described it as “pretty nasty.” Behind the scenes, crews were already working to fix the problem. A National Park Service contractor said workers spent the day clearing sediment from the fountain’s cascading pools, while a Daily Beast reporter saw staff vacuuming debris from the bottom.
The fountain had reopened earlier this year after a major makeover, with officials presenting the project as part of a wider campaign to revive neglected landmarks in Washington. An Interior Department spokesperson said the effort had allowed residents and visitors to enjoy working fountains “for the first time in seven years,” giving Donald Trump credit for pushing the restoration plan.
The fountain is only one piece of a broader effort to upgrade Washington’s historic landmarks. Earlier reporting referenced by the Daily Beast said almost $60 million in revenue from national park entrance fees is being used to restore nine fountains across the capital. Other projects currently underway include improvements to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and a pair of fountains in Lafayette Park.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.
