Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-03-08
Water for tn Q District.

Colonel Totten, of the Typographical Engi-
neers, to Mr.. Secretary Conrad, of the War
Department, and communicated to Congress,
under resolution directing surveys to be
made for furnishing this District with full
supply Of water. The reconnaissance was
entrusted to Lieutenant NJ. c. Meigs, Topo-
graphical Engineer, whose report does him
much credit as a skillful and scientific off
Ger.
Speaking of the supply of water to cities,
the report states:
"Some cities are supplied by joint stock
companies. London groans under the inhic
ton OF half dozen monopolies, which dole
out water by the hour aud by the cistern-
full, thick with the sewerage from the gut
tiers of 100000 Inhabitants, instead Of
supplying constant source, to be obtained
at any time and in any quantity needed for
luxury or use, by simply turning handle.
philadelphia, New York, and Boston have
wisely taken upon themselves the supply of
their citizens with water, and no bloated
monopoly should be allowed to pamper itself
by the sale Of the first necessary OF life and
health to the Inhabitants Of our metropolis
and the representatives Of our States.
Water should be as free as air, and should
always be supplied by the Government; if
for a city solely, then by the city govern
ment; if for the metropolis of nation,
then by the nation.''
The latter sentence of the above quoted
paragraph expresses sentiment in better
terms than we could use. Washington is
the metropolis of great nation, and its
public grounds should be crnamented with
jets Of water, and its public buildings pro-
tected from danger by an unceasing supply
of the same necessary element. Lieutenant
Meigs reports different plans by which a
supply of water can be introduced into the
District, based upon personal survey, and
which should elicit the attention of our ma
tioEal authorities Immediately to a choice
Of one Of them before the close Of the pre-
sent Congress. Let start be made in the
matter now. Let Westinghouse city here
tofore Of ma gnificent distances, but growing
more compact daily-have a full supply of
water, not only for the comfort of its deni-
zens from all parts Of the Union, but also.
and Above all, for the protection of public
property and the legislators who help to
accomplish it will do themselves and their
country a lasting benefit.
We suhjoin the recapituation of Lieut.
Meigs' survey, only adding that the ..Great
Falls project" should he favored above all
others.
"Thc aqueduct from Rock Creek COM
pete to the Capitol, Navy Yard, and public
buildings, including service in Georgetown,
will cost $l,258, 600.
''Advantages over the other:, cheapness
Supply in winter and spring, 26,732, 800
gallons, but liable in heats of summer to be
diminished to 9,S6O,O0 gallons
1.-THE Little Falls work complete viii cost
81, 1914
advantages over the Great Falls, Cheap
ness; over Rock Greek, steadiness Of supply;
which, at the above cost will be IL, 600, 600
gallons, to be increased in time by another
pump and wheel, provided the river is found
sufficient to supply the power, to Is, OOO,0OO
gallons.
disadvantages: A doubt of the sufficiency
Of the water power for greater supply than
L., 00O,0 900; and by some engineers whom
l have consulted, even for this amount in
very dry aeasons. Want of simplicity +; use
of machinery, always, however we'll con-
structed, liable to injury and interruption
Want of reservoir space for settling the
water Liability to interruption for time
during floods.
"The Great Falls project will cost COM