The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-12
BY AUTHORITY.
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Pub 81.

An AL 70 provide fof TIE care and preservation of the
works constructed by the United States, Tor bringing
tho Potomac water into tie cities of Washington and
Georgetown ior the supply Of said water for all govern
mental purposes and for the uses and benefits Of tho
Inhabitants of the said cities.
BE 4 saooai By NJ Ssaae ad House Of Rgrssaiaiirs Of
Tho United Saas u AAsncd Ia Congress assembled, That the
dams, a~queducts, wAter-gates, reservoirs, and all fixtures
and Improvements connected Herewith, which have
been, or may hereafter he, Constructed by the United
States for the conveyance OF the water from the Potomac
river, above the Great Falls, 10 the cities OF Washington
and Georgetown. together with the lands. houseg. fen
cling. water. and other rights and appurtenances con
nected with the same, aud belonging to the govern
ment, as also the main conduits, supply pipes, basins,
hydrants, fountains, stop-cocks, sewers, drains, securing
basins, and all other fixtures connected with the same,
which have been, or may hereafter be, laid down or con
structed by the United States, shall be placed by the
President of the United States under the immediate care,
management, aud superintendent Of a properly qualified
officer OF the United States corps of engineers to be APP.
pointed by him who shall act under the Department of
the Interior, and who shall make an annual report TO
that department ia the month OF November Ia each year,
TO be laid before Congress, at the commencement of their
regular annual session, of tue work, proceedings, repairs,
casualties, and expenditures connected with the said
water-works for the preceding year and such officer,
as ~ compensation for the duties and responsibilities
imposed upon him hy this act, shall receive, for his pay
as said engineer, no more than his regular pay AS an OF
heer of the corps He shall occupy the necessary apart.
ments in one Of the public buildings in the city of Wash
ington ms may be directed 10y the President, and shall be
supplied by The government with the stationery, In
strunlents, books, and furniture, required in the perform
ance Of his public duties. Aud in this Office of the En-
gineeT Of the Potomac Water Works shall be kept and
preserved a complete record OF all the lands and other
property and matters and things enumerated in this sec
ton, and otherwise connected with or belonging to these
water works, OF which may hereafter be acquired or pro
cured for the same. The said engineer shall have full
power and control over the said water works and shall
regulate the manner in which the said corporations of
Washington and Georgetown may tap the pip.s for the
supply thereof, and shall stop the same whenever il is
tNp,l Ya ..L,. .In .An4 e. ,.att lav ..t1Y ~ III
general government. The said engineers decisions on all
questions connected Herewith TO be subject only to APP
peal TO the Secretary Of the Interior.
Ssc.2. Aaih il Jathe eaaded, That full power and an-
thority are hereby given To the corporations OF Washing
ton and Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, TO sup
ply the inhabitants within their respective limits with
Potomac water from the aqueduct mains or pipes, nov
laid or to he laid in The streets and avenues by the United
states and to make all laws and regulations for the
proper distribution Of the same, subject to the restrictions
prescribed by this act PfocidaI that no expense shall de-
volve upon the United States in consequence OF said dis
tribution.
SIC. B. And Be Il further enacted, That the said corpo-
ration shall have authority by ordinance, act, or other
wise, TO establish a scale of annual rates for the supply
and use Of said water, apportioned to different classes Of
buildings in said city, according to their size, dimensions,
assessed values, exposure to fires, uses for dwellings,
stores, shops stables, manufactures, or other purposes,
number of occupants, or consumption of water, measured
by meter or otherwise, and to modify alter, amend, IN
crease or reduce, such scale, from time to time, and ex-
tend it to other description OF buildings aud establish
ments. To collect such rates or rents, when so fixed, in
advance, or otherwise, through such agents or commits
sioners as they may authorize, from the owners or occu
pants Of all such buildings or establishments, respectively,
who may use the water therein. To stop the supply Of
water to any such dwelling or establishment upon a fail
IRE to pay said rate, charge or rent. And generally to
enact such laws as may be necessary to supply the inhab.
itants of sail city OF Washington with pure and whole
some water, and TO carry into full and complete effect the
powers herein granted. Provided, that tho rates levied by
The cities Of Georgetown and Washington shall never be
a source OF revenue other than rs n means of keeping up
to the said cities a supply of water,
SIC. 4. Ind be Il FURTHER tn1odi, That for the purpose
Of enabling The corporations aforesaid 10 carry out the
provisions OF this act, il shall lie competent for them 10
borrow, ia such proportions rs they may deem ~cxpedient,
a SUN of money not exceeding one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars for the city OF Washington, and fifty
thousand dollars for Georgetown, redesmable within a
period OF ten year., out of any revenue to be derived from
water rents.
SEC. 5. .Iaddt IL fHdher enacted, That it shall not be
lawful for any person or persons other than said corpora
tons, or persons authorized by them, TO tap or open the
mains or pipes laid or TO be laid by the United States for
any purpose whatever under a penalty Of not less than
fifty nor more than five hundred dollars for each and
every offence. And ii any person or persons shall will
fully and naliciously break, injure, deiace, or destroy
any main or pipe, bend, branch, valve, hydlant, service.
pipe or any other fixture used for the distribution of
water throughout the streets and avenues, or for its in
PRODUCTION into the houses, teneinents, or buildings OF
said cities such person or persons shall be subject to i'm
piisonment in the county Jail for q period not exceeding
two years for each and every such offence
SIC. q. Ind e IL further enacted, That whenever it shall
become necessary to lay main pipes for the supply Of
water TO the cities of Georgetown and Washington,
the cost of the same shall be paid by the said cities, and
the engineer aforesaid is hereby prohibited rom making
any contracts for the same, unless approved by the cor
porations aforesaid, and expressly stipulated with the con
tractor or contractors that the payment for the same is to
be made by the said corporations; Prosidd, That no greater
number OF main pipes shall be laid by the general gov
eminent than are sufficient to give to said government,
the necessary supply oil water,
SIC. Z. Ind BE- Il further enacted, That It shall be
unlawful for any person or persons to do or com
init any act b. reason Of which the supply Of
water, or any part thereof shall become impure,
filthy, or in any way unfit for use, aud that any per
son or persons committing any such net or acts, will
fully knowingly and malicionsiy shall be subject TO a fine
OF not exceeding onG thousand nor less than five hundred
dollars, OF not exceeding three nor less tlan one years
confinement in the peniteptiary OF the pictrict Of 90
lumbia for every such offence.
Sic. 3, md BE- q Gvthr enacted, That all acts or parts
of acts inconsistent with this be, and the same ate hereby
repealed.
SIC. 0. and Il Igfher enacted, That the cities OF Wash
ington and Georgetown respectively shall have power to
establish a complete system Of sewerage In aid OF the ex-
ecution Of the provisions OF this oct.
Approved 3 March 1859.
Pub %
AN ACf, TO provide for extending The laws and judicial
system of the United States TO the State of Oregon and
for other purposes
n. ~ IN ~