Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-09-19
THE QUESTION OF WATER SUP.
PLY.
Statement by the District Com mis-.
n To n In. EAl1A IN


sionern to the Senate Committee.
The District Commissioners to-day sent the
following statement to the Senate committee
upon the question OF water supply:
The Commissioners OF the District OF Column
bia have the honor to transmit to the COM
mittee of the Senate, IN answer to their letter
dated July 3, 1879, statement OF the expendI-
1880, to June 30, 1879. 1t win be observed that
the EXPENDITURES are not given during the
interval extending from June 30, 1871, to No
June e, Js74, the records being in such con-
dition that the expenditures during those
periods cannot be correctly ascertained
sinking fund on the bonded debt OF the water
department has been carried, either In whole
or In part, by the general fund, which amounts
should pc pc anaed IN order to determine the
fore been assisted by the general fund
AS shown In the statement the excess OF ex-
penoltures above receipts is s11s. 71O.25.
year ending June 30, 1879, is held by the Treas
ury as debit against the department.
The statement enclosed In the form of let
ter by the Commissioners to the water-takers
OF the District makes an exhibit OF the current
expenses OF the department aid the means by
which the Commissioners have attempted to
current expenses were therein estimated at
$4,000. They have since been reduced ID
$4,000; beyond which no further reduction can
the past year unpaid is aaeo and ga $500 far for
the current year. The total OF these expenses
not taking INTO account the laying Of laterals
or the purchase OF materials, is beyond any
possible receipts Of the department. The sink.
ing fund then. both for the past and present
year, can receive no payments.
TIE condition OF the water supply has been
sumption The supply Is not sufficient to afford a
constant delivery by gravity above the l0D-foot
level, although during the night an increased
head Is attained, amounting to about ia feet.
fngton are working satisfactorily, although
already driven to their utmost capacity
1t is only question OF year or more when
the pumps will be totally unable to supply the
demand. We have then to provide at once
some remedy for the high and low service alike.
Washington does not stand alone In this diff
selves in the same condition with regard to
their water supply, and are giving the same
anxious study to the means OF relief.
The general proposition is Observation-Disclosures
the supply must be increased or the excessive
consumption must be restrained. SO far az the
commissioners are aware, the engineers of all
cities are attempting to repress the waste Of
ness houses, and afterwards extending their
Efforts to the domestic consumption. There IS
no public sentiment which can be relied upon
OF the last fifteen years. The facts are plainly
given In the published reports of the officers ia
charge OF the water works Of the cities OF New
York, Boston, Providence, and Chicago.
The conclusion has also been gradually reach
cd BY the slow process OF experience that
methods OF inspection are practically useless
All are now agreed that the only method OF re-
takers OF all cities, Including Washington, are
equally bent on resisting their Introduction. 1t
Is not worth While to enter into any discussion
In regard to the various objections urged, some
Of which are certainly valid; as, for instance.
their expense, which in many cases has been
extortionate, and the fact that the majority of
meters used are worthless for actual service.
W hoff
by examining the working OF the system where
IT has been extensively introduced.
The commissioners are more especially con-
cerned In bringing clearly to the attention OF
your committee the methods by which the d..
fcieDcy In the water supply may be overcome,
since any method to be successful must receive
the distinct sanction of Congress
Two means OF increasing the supply have
been suggested-one is to lay an additional
main from the present reservoir, the other to
prolong the conduit to point in the immediate
commissioners havepreferred the latter as being
In the line of the ultimate extension and com.
pletton OF the water works, and as assuring a
level fhe delivery at the Sishest level n pTae
ticable Is Of great Importance, since it viii re-
duce to the smallest dimensions the area to be
supplied by the high service.
Capitol Hill, which IS the most distant of the
elevated plateaus to be supplied by gravity
from the distributing reservoir, has an eleya-
ton OF 50 feet along the line Of East Capitol
otICOt. 1uC ulRuCSI level OF the water
In u present distributing reservoir is las feet.
There Is then an available head of only 90 feet.
VIII 1ch Is liable to be reduced from time to time
10 4. rect, while the distance to be overcome is
over four miles. The loss OF head In 80, SO. and
4S-tnch mains per 900 feet Is given In the fol-
lowing tables, different formulas being used;
Required: Loss OF head In 20, &c. and 4S.inch
mains, per 900 feet, when delivering 12GOO, O0O
gallons per diem, or Is 566S cubic feet per second
SO-INCH MAIN, VELOCITY 3.7S24 FEET PER SECOND.
LOSS OF head per 1900 feet, Tanning .1.575 feet
" DARCY i ISL "
Beardmore 2 2S9 90
36-INCH MAIN, VELOCITY 262G6 FRET PER SECOND
LOSS OF head per 900 feet, flaming. .0.6l4 feet
Darcy. %. $50 ss
BeardmOre0 921 +"
4S-INCH MAIN, VELOCITY 1.4775 FEET PER SECOND.
Loss OF head per 1000 feet, Fanri1g. .O1s2 feet
Darcy. ...O172 "
Delivery OF 4s-jnch main nth 20 feet loss OF
head in 80, eco feet:
VELOCITY, (FEET PER SECONDLY
Famine oco