Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-09-27
DISINFECTING THE RIVER FLATS.
Acres of fostering Sewage and City
Filth.


THE STAR last week mentioned the fact that
Col Sharp, Of the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad, had made complaint to Health OK
ficer Townshend of most intolerable stencil
from putrid matter In the river south of the
Long Bridge, so offensive that passengers in
trains crossing the bridge were sometimes
made sick by it, the foul smell producing vom-
iing, &c.
The STAR also mentioned that the health
officer made an examination as 10 the cause
of the nuisance, its extent. &c. and in his re-
port to the District Commissioners stated that
lie had found deposit of something like fecal
matter that had accumulated for several hun
dred yards along the south wall of the cause
way, forming. a crust varying in thickness
from an inch 10 i've or SIX inches. adherin9 TO
the wall and rising and settling with the tides,
and remaining nearly stationary, being he'd
by the river weeds and grass, the power of the
currents not being sufficient to float it off
down stream. He described the stencil from
II as nauSeating in the extreme and injurious
to health. and stated that there could be no
permanent remedy other than by dredging
but as temporary relief he recommended
liberal SDrinkling of dispfectants on the sur
face, lace. Following this requisition for fifteen
barrels OF Carter'S Sdisinfectant was made upon
the District Commissioners for the purpose
stated.
THOROUGH INVESTIGATION
The publication of this report and recon-
mendation was read by the citizens OF South
Washington and the railroad officers with
great interest and those best acquainted with
the condition OF the river flats came to the
conclusion that the examination of the Health
Officer had not been extended far enough.
Further information was communicated TO
The Health Oftcer as to the extent of this ter
rlhle nuisance over the flats below the Long
Bridge, and on Tuesday that officer proceeded
10 the river and in row boat made 4 tour OF
the Whole locality and was aStOunded at the
cordItIon III which he found these fats. The
thickeSt OF
THIS SETTLING MASS OF CORRUPTION
is south of the wall near the Georgetown
channel whore aF
cove between the bridge aud the thick river
grass forming cOugl0merate mass of corIup-
es 1oi hn and ,,Nif when ai stirred up by Wind or tide
ot which II IS composed has been a question
Oh doubt, sCme claiming that it is from o!falS
which have been dumped into the river by the
contractors for the removal Of such matter
but the most general and reasonable theory is
thai 1t Is the accumula!i ions Of eXcremeatatiouS
matter which flows out of the sewers empty
ing into The river from the i street sewer a.
l'th street al the way down IL the Arsenal
grounds, and there not being sufficient current
In the Washington channel to carry it down
stream, Tie tides and south winds drive iU up
amongst the weeds and grass which extend
south OF the bridge to nearly opposite the
Arsenal grounds and the whole space some go
or 3Qo acreS.lS covered with ii. There is an open
SPACE between these marshes, two hundred
Yards wide perhaps. which is covered generally
win lew inches OF water, where there is no
EaVe backed up with the tides. and there they
remain, floating during high water aud re-
naming on the tiats at low tide. This whole
space IS cesSp0Ol, covered with I green
scum, and although not SO thick with filth,
THE STENCIL Is SICKENING
and dangerous to health. The south winds
which have been quite prevalent this summer
wait thlS polluted air over the city, and has
caused much sickness in South Washington in
the form of low feyerS. The wild oats and
weeds are iull of this matter, and prevent its
escape with the tide, and it is probable that
the greater part of the eXcrement from the
sewers has been accommodating there for many
months.
THE REMEDY FOR THE EVIL
appears TO be III eXcavating a channel through
Inc maiSheS from the Washington channel TO
the Georgetown channel, by EaSbyS wharf,
near where the original channel ran. This
would probably afford sufficient current 10
wash OH the sewer delivery As il is now the
Cnly current is the sluggish ebb and How Of the
tides and as most Of this kind Of matter floats.
IL Is drltted into these weeds and the small
cOVeS, where it remains. On the fats b Glow
Tie brlGge, are SIX or seven wrecked hullS of
long boats, fast in the mud. These are iiiled
with = thick mass OF green slime, aud are
enough OF themselves to breed a pestilence.
THE WORK OF DIsINFECTING.
wednesday, Sanitary Inspe Cor Jno. P. Den
DIS. Win 10lce OF men, under the direction
OF the health officer proceeded to Strew fifteen
Ddi1e!S Oh Inc GlSlnfectant on the worst part of
these Hats, AID finding il insufficient sent for
eether, which were distributed from boat $ to
the best advantage. This will no doubt be
temporary relief, but only temporary. Mr.
Dennis describes the stencil. in going over the
grounds, as worse than any he ever expert
enceG before.