Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-01-23
Water Supply and Water Waste.

Water supply and Water Waste.
Editor Of the Eeening Star:-I have read with
interest the report of the Hon. Commissioners
in answer to a resolution OF the Senate, enquir-
ing as to the deficiency of water in some parts
OF our city. in which the Commissioners give as
one OF the principal causes OF this deficiency,
great waste OF water on the part OF some Of the
consumers
Tie question naturally arises: Is this waste
real: DO our people allow water to run away
from the simple desire OF wasting this com
modify? think not: nay, would declare that
no sane person would let water run from his
spigOts when he has no use for it. and verify
believe that no one ever opens Spigot who
does not need the water he draws. The COM
plant that people allow water to run to prevent
freezing in the pipes appears TO me unreasona-
bic. ] take 1t for granted that every
ing his property, and after he has gone
into large expense in introducing a cir
culation CT water in his house, it would be
unjust to demand that he should stop that cir
culatiOn, when he needs ii most to prevent the
bursting OF the pipes, the general injury OF his
wells and furniture arising from that accident,
ard the expense connected with the mending.
Eesidcs, this does not occur very often, prob
ably only when the thermometer is at freezing
point. Again. this freezing or the water in the
pipes is not always the fault of the water SyS-
TEN in a house, but OF the change Of grade OF
the streets after the pipes have been laid 1t is so
INN own case My pipes are frozenin The street.
because, in obedience TO the recommendation
OF the Water Registrar, did not let the water
lun and because, in paving recently. they have
lowered the surface OF the street two feet. and
have exposed the pipes TO the range OF the frost.
AS medical man visit several houses every
day, and dare assert that in no one OF those
houses is there any waste OF water. But 1t
must be admitted that our clean Amerl-
cans make free use OF water. Water
is used by our people for culinary pur-
poses, for bathing, cleaning and Scrubbing. for
washing wa clothes, for cleansing the body and
ply having been taken away, the pumps ab0l-
1shed, they depend entirely on the Potomac
source. In France and some other countries,
they have often two sources OF water supply
and make distinction between potable and
washing water, SO that they circulate two syS-
tems and the citizens are at liberty to have
one or both and pay accordingly. We supply
both through one system, hence apparently
great use, but not abuse OF water.
liberal supply, but not for a check upon the in
dlspensable article; and the Introduction of
meleIs would be an expense, ineluding the
not less than fifteen dollars for every house
hold TO bring about this reduction.
1t is maintained that the adoption Of meters
would tend 10 check the flee use OF water. Let
us see if it would do it: and take my own case
as an example. | do not think that any meter
Or recorder will prevent any member OF my
family 1rcm using as much water as he desires,
and know that no matter how much it might
cost, would never ask them to stint themselves
in the use OF this article. | do not believe that
any American or clean foreigner Will ecolOmZe
in wafer. and believe that any one who would
be mean enough TO stint his family in the use OF
the tax, and would prefer to be enumerated
among the delinQuentS: SO that the same
amount VIII be used in spite OF the meter; and
those who complain OF inSufticiency OF water
now will be no better off then, nay, they will
have added the expense OF the meter without
receiving an increase of water; in other words,
that there would be more money collected. but
not enough TO cover the interest Of the money
expended for the meters and for the Official
paraphernalla connected Herewith. So that
nothing would be gained really but the annoy
ance, and fat contract for meter-manufac-
tuferS.
Again. calculate the cost of meters the cost
for their application and preservation, the cost
or the innumeraO,e officeh0lderS to keep a rec
ord of these meters and render accounts, and
the Increase or revenue reckOned from the use
CT meters, which the citizens would be willing to
pay without meters, and you have undoubtedly
a sum which would pay for laying water main
that would supply the deficiency complained Of
Again, the great waste OF water, If waste it can
be called, is occasloDed in public buildings and
grounds Where the water meter will not be tol-
reason that the money the government has
given for the construction OF the aqueduct was
TO supply public grounds and buildings with
abundance OF water free OF charge.
II the Commissioners and our citizens would
petition Congress for the means to convey more
propriety Of making fair appropriation for its
snare OF the expense, and an auxiliary reservoir
Oh capitol Hill, as suggested by General Meigs,
might be built. This reservoir to be flled at
ural reduction OF the drain, from the mains
now existing, and distribute the accumulated
water to Capitol Hill during the day.
Further, inaSmuch as we must pay for water,
an equitable classification should be adopted in
taxing The present mode OF charging accord
.inu to width and height OF building is without
logic The charge should be equitable and fair,
and in proportion to the amount OF water used:
and the only computation that can be made Is
according to the number and quality OF the
issues. What is fair for one is fair for ALL and
no discrimination should be made as to the
financial ability or disability OF consumers.
| Charge given sum for spigot In the Kitchen,
| prcpOrt1onate one for spigot In bath room,
and another for spgOt in a bed room, etc. or
course, evaSionS will occur even In this system;
| but it is the only one that has semblance TO
equitable fairness If our tax-payfng people
were called upon to vote for the introduction OF
water meters or for greater supply OF water,
Co not hesitate to say that nine out OF ten would
! vote the meters down. and for more ample
means 10 bring more water TO the city.
The question OF health have treated IN
! forner letter. I. s. VERDI, u, ID.