The lower half of the fountain had become greatly stained by iron. The major source of the iron was pipe and other steel elements such as internal reinforcing added in 1971. The water in the pool was recicirculated and, because of evaporation, concentrations of iron increased. In contrast, there were virtually no iron stains where the fountain was wet from water sprayed from the hands of the Genius. This is because her water flowed directly from the city supply without circulation.

Cleaning tests for removal of the iron stains on the porphyry stone showed great promise in returning a clean appearance.