Every night, long after the city that never sleeps has quieted down, a unique and solemn task begins at the heart of Lower Manhattan. For James Maroon and his colleagues, this is not just a job; it’s a mission of reverence and care for one of the most poignant symbols of resilience in New York City: the 9/11 Memorial pools. From midnight until 8 a.m., five nights a week, Maroon and his team are tasked with ensuring the pools remain pristine, ready to welcome the six million visitors who come each year to pay their respects.
A Nightly Ritual of Reflection
For James Maroon, a pool cleaner at the 9/11 Memorial, maintaining the reflecting pools is both a privilege and a responsibility. “The first time I went in the pool, I would think it’s about eight, nine years ago,” Maroon shared in a documentary video made for Untapped New York. “When I got in there, I was like, Wow, this is just amazing to see from ground level how vast it really is.”
Maroon’s deep connection to the site began long before he started working there. “My father worked down here pretty much his whole adult life,” he explains. “I’ve spent most of my life down here. This was a great opportunity to try to give back.”
Maroon was present in Lower Manhattan on that fateful day in 2001. “I was here on 9/11. I worked at the New York Mercantile Exchange,” he explained. “On that morning, I was walking through the building to get to my building when the first plane went right overhead. I honestly didn’t think much of it when I got to work. The next plane hit, and the rest is history.” It was an experience that, like for so many others, forever changed his life. Today, his nightly duties provide a way to honor those lost and contribute to the ongoing story of resilience and recovery.
Maintaining a Sacred Space
The 9/11 Memorial pools, known as “Reflecting Absence,” are a tribute to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks and the six people lost in the World Trade Center bombing of February 26, 1993. The pools, each an acre in size, are the largest man-made waterfalls in the United States. They mark the exact footprints of the Twin Towers, symbolizing both the loss of life and the void left behind.
Cleaning these pools is a meticulous and labor-intensive process. “Me and two other workers every night clean the pools, put a vacuum and brush, and try to keep them as spectacular as we can,” Maroon explains. “It’s a long eight hours, but it’s worth it.” The crew of three men works tirelessly, their shifts beginning at midnight and ending at eight in the morning, ensuring that the pools look perfect for visitors each day.
Chief Engineer Anthony LoCasto details the complexity of the pools’ maintenance: “Both of the pools utilize a total of 16 pumps to circulate 26,000 gallons of water each minute. The system is responsible for circulating over 480,000 gallons of recycled water.” This sophisticated system is equipped with smart chemical filtration, which adapts to New York’s ever-changing weather conditions, ensuring that the water’s reflective qualities and soothing sounds remain consistent throughout the year.
A Task Done with Care and Dedication
The process of cleaning the pools goes beyond just maintaining an aesthetic standard; it is about preserving a place of quiet reflection amidst a bustling city. As Maroon reflects, “When I’m cleaning the pool, I think most of the time, did I do this well? Because I don’t want to come out of that pool eight hours later and somebody saying, ‘Well, that pool looks bad.’ And then I would feel bad.” His commitment to his work is evident, driven by a deep respect for the memorial and the memory it represents.
There are moments when the task becomes almost meditative. “It gets dark in there sometimes, and you lose yourself in there,” he admits. “But it’s pretty beautiful to see that sun come over the wall. It’s something most people don’t get a chance to see.”
A Year-Round Commitment
The North and South fountains at the 9/11 Memorial operate with a combined recirculating system that pumps up to 26,000 gallons of water per minute, nonstop, every day of the year. This engineering marvel is crucial to the pools’ upkeep, ensuring that they remain functional regardless of weather conditions.
Yet, it is the quiet, often unseen work of Maroon and his team that truly keeps the memorial alive. The dedication of these pool service technicians ensures that the 9/11 Memorial pools remain in operation year-round, offering a place of solace and reflection for millions of visitors who come to remember and honor those who were lost.
Their nightly efforts reflect a profound respect for the memorial’s purpose, reminding us all that even in the most ordinary of tasks, there can be extraordinary significance.
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