Reflecting Pool Contractor Admits Faulty Installation Caused Liner Damage

The contractor responsible for the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has admitted in government documents that faulty installation, not vandalism, caused the newly installed liner to peel and blister. Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which was awarded a $14.7 million no-bid contract for the project, told the Trump administration that its design and implementation fell short, leading to the liner's failure. Federal prosecutors dismissed vandalism charges against several individuals after determining the damage stemmed from a botched installation. A filing from the U.S. Attorney's office stated the records strongly suggest a rushed and flawed installation process caused the damage, not the acts of vandals. The contractor's reports cited specific errors. Workers applied insufficient primer due to human oversight, preventing the liner's layers from properly adhering. Additionally, two incompatible chemicals in the liner overheated in the summer sun, causing the bottom layer to blister and separate. The contractor stated this chemical interaction was uncommon and had not been anticipated.