Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-29
Why There IL No MATER

The residents in the more elevated parts OF the
city have long had occasion to complain of the
failure OF the water supply, and during the
present cold snap this failure has been agra
waited. probably, from the waste through the
y alter being left running by house-holders to
Keep the pipes from freezing.
Eut there Is no month in the year that the
residents on Capitol Hill and the northern
and western parts of the city are able to get
anything like full supply of water. 1t has been
supposed that the only remedy for this failure
was through the laying OF another main, at
heavy expense TO the city, as well as to the gov
eminent; but really what's needed is to stop of
the enormous waste by which a supply equal to
tie needs of a city OF $4,000 inhabitants is
squandeTed, without giving enough water for
I1G.CCo.
We have made some inquiry into the matter
OF this wastsge, and the particulars arc really
startling. We find, for instance, that at the
naVy-ysrd upwards OF 800 900 gallons per day
are wasted from a three-inch pipe which sup
plies the condenser in the JOiners' department;
also. that there are forty water-closcts there
which are allowed to run fun head the entire
twenty-four hours every day through the year.
II is estimated that the entire waste at the
hayward will not fall much short OF million
gallons per day.
Wheel driven by Potomac water, which wastes
upwards of 100000 gallons per DAY. At the
Treasury Department, also, there is a 3O-inch
tuI bine- he al run by four-inch main, for tue
purpose OF csnceling notes, at a probable waste
OF @COOC0 gallons per Cay. There is an abun-
dance CT steam power at the Treasury that
might be used instead of tie Potomac water,
we understand.
II il safe To PIT the waste of water bv the
government at 5000 eco gallons per day.
The waste of water by some of our hotels l.
enormous. One OF our Avenue hotels il sup
Piled by three one inch pipes and one four-inch
lire. AID does not use less than 200 ,DOO gallons
per day. Another hotel has for live years m lde
tee Of Potomac water to pump out its cellar.
which Is below tide water. a one-ineh pine
has been kept constantly running day and night
for this purpose, and the waste has not been
less than $1,000 gallons per day. The Water
Registrar has, we believe, ordered this pump
IUg arrangement discontinued.
There Is also large waste of water at
the various livery stables, horse railroad stables
steam Car stations, manufacturing establish
meLts, beading houses, stores, private houses,
&c. IL il estimated by the water department
that fully ZOO 200 gallons, or nearly one-half
the amount consumed, is wasted in vashiu .toa
every DAY; :, 900 Goo gallons by the government.
and 200 eco gallons by private parties, l. il
any wonder that with this state OF thirgs the
<uYply Of water is insufficient
Registrar Crane says that if the government
wIil stop wasting the water and give one hun
bred meters, with power to put them wherever
waste OF water is discovered, he will guaran-
tie that there will lie no more complaint of a
iack of water for many years TO come. The ex-
pertinent OF water meters as a remedy is one
that ought promptly TO be tried. When those
who use the water extrayagantly are called up-
ON to paw for what they waste they win
manage to DO with good deal less There is
bin low before the Councils, we believe, pro-
viding for the purchase OF live hundred meters
tor use by the water department. This is pro-
baby larger number than is necessary; i'm me-
diateiy at any rate. Probably fifty meters
would be ample 10 begin with. We advise the
Councils TO take immediate action providing
Ter putin at least that number in use.
As regards the Department waste, il NAV
IeTbspS be said that as government pale, for
the sGueCuet il has right to use all the water
. chooses. This does net follow; and if it did
Il i certain that the government would not
tolerate a WantOn waste 10y its employees, through
which the people OF the city who par for the
use Of The water are deprived Of H. We are
confident that the heals OF government have
not the slightest Idea that the enormous annorn.
Of 5.oG0,o,o gallons : wasted daily at the differ
eut Departments Let The government cut of
the waste At the Departments, and the city cut
od the waste by private parties, and the suppl,
Of water vii undoubtedly be ample.