SAN DIEGO, CA — A company hired under a no-bid federal contract to test water treatment technology in the polluted Tijuana River last year is drawing renewed scrutiny after receiving another no-bid contract to clean the algae-infested Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.
According to The Washington Post, Greenwater Services, which is owned by a Trump donor, has received about $2.8 million in federal contracts tied to the two projects.
The Tijuana River pilot, launched by the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission to evaluate ozone-based "nanobubble technology," ended early after flooding damaged equipment and washed debris into the river.
The Washington Post reported internal federal emails showed some Environmental Protection Agency staff questioned the project's cost and whether the technology was appropriate for the flood-prone area. The commission later said the pilot was "successfully completed" and the demonstrated the technology "has the capability to kill bacteria and eliminate odors associated with sewage."
Greenwater recently received another no-bid contract to address algae in the Reflecting Pool ahead of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. The company and the Department of Interior denied political connections influenced the contract award, The Washington Post reported.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
San Diego, CA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.