Trump-restored Meridian Hill fountain turns brown weeks after reopening

WASHINGTON, DC: A historic fountain in Washington, DC, restored under President Donald Trump's beautification initiative, turned brown less than two months after reopening to the public.

The Meridian Hill Park Cascading Fountain resumed operation in May after being shut down since 2019 for restoration work. Officials said the discoloration was temporary and expected normal water conditions to return within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Officials explain brown water at restored Meridian Hill fountain

The Department of the Interior attributed the brown water to sediment released after water began flowing through two water lines that had been out of service for several years.

"The brown water is sediment as a result of the reopening of two water lines that had been out of service for some time," the department said in an email to Newsweek.

The National Park Service also echoed the explanation, noting that crews continued adjusting the fountain’s operations after its May reopening.

"Although the Meridian Hill Cascading Fountain reopened in May, the National Park Service continues to fine tune the fountain's operations," the agency said, adding that the discoloration was "sediment" resulting from the reopening of the long-idle water lines.

A video shared online on July 8 showed the water turning brown at the Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park fountain, drawing attention to one of President Donald Trump’s major beautification projects in Washington, DC.

The fountain also served as the backdrop for a July 2 appearance by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, where video from the event showed the water running clear.

Historic Meridian Hill Cascading Fountain reopens after years of restoration

Built in the early 1930s, the 13-basin Cascading Fountain at Meridian Hill Park is one of the longest cascading fountains in North America.

The Interior Department announced its reopening in May, saying water was once again flowing through the historic landmark ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations after nearly seven years of restoration work.

The fountain has remained a major feature of Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcolm X Park, and is among Washington’s most recognized public landmarks.

Trump administration renovation projects draw public attention

The Meridian Hill fountain is one of several high-profile restoration projects undertaken by the Trump administration as part of a broader effort to renovate landmarks across Washington ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

The administration has also overseen work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where a $14 million renovation attracted attention after algae blooms turned the water green and sections of a newly applied blue coating peeled shortly after reopening.

The White House previously attributed damage at the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, while restoration work continued.

Beyond the National Mall, President Trump’s second-term renovation agenda has included changes to the White House Rose Garden, renovations inside the Oval Office and construction of a new White House ballroom.

The National Park Service said the water was expected to "once again run clean in the next 24-36 hours" as crews continued monitoring and adjusting the fountain’s operations.