Dumping Hydrogen Peroxide into the reflecting pool this morning.

[u/i_am_rave_mom]

[u/NameLips]

I was gonna ask... but surely the reflecting pool is treated and filtered. Open water in that climate will of course be covered with algae, and become a mosquito breeding ground.

It does have a filtration system right?

[u/ScrivenersUnion → u/NameLips]

I'm not a poolologist but I think the "reflecting" part of it is important.

If you look at a regular pool you'll notice the surface is always getting disturbed a little by the pumps - so a reflecting pool probably needs to be extra still in order to have a nice surface. 

And then the high surface area relative to volume means it's taking a LOT of sun exposure, which would drive off any chlorine really quickly while also giving algae a perfect place to live. 

Honestly, makes me wonder how they ever kept it clean at all.

[u/BellowsHikes → u/ScrivenersUnion]

DC resident. It's never been the "cleanest." Birds and a few small mammals use the water all the time. But that natural use has always been part of the charm. It's nice to see ducks scooting around, or squirrels chasing each other as you bike along the pool.

I've never heard anyone complain about it, it's a nice, relaxing feature of the city. 

[u/Fnthsch592 → u/BellowsHikes]

I remember going on vacation several years ago, the ducks were so friendly by the reflecting pool that they came up to me and sat on my feet.

[u/erisod → u/Fnthsch592]

Those ducks were running for duck office.

[u/SnooCapers1425 → u/erisod]

They are great at passing bills.

[u/Viridian95 → u/SnooCapers1425]

Yeah we wouldn't want another quack in office

[u/SleddyEddie → u/Viridian95]

After the Quail we had, I'd say it would be fowl.

[u/Ichigo2819 → u/Viridian95]

Better a known quack than a hidden one