Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-26
The Scarcity Of Potomac Water.


REPORT OF REGISTRAR cox.
The letter of Mr.. E. c. Kirkwood of CapitOl
Hill, to the District Commissioners respecting
she scarcity of Potomac water in that vicinity.
she purport of which was published i'm The STAR
few days since. was referred by the Commits
siOners TO Water Registrar Cox, who made the
following report thereon to-day:
The water department is fully aware of the
insufficient supply Of Potomac water on CAPITOL
Hill as is also the case on other high points
within the city limits. Mr.. E. C. KirkwOod is
correct IN MS statement that the use of water
Tor the purpose of watering plants and lawns
around the Capitol building. and the running of
fountains. takes away. more or less from the
supply of water on the high points i'm the city,
Inc trouble is. that when the United States
brought the Potomac water into the cities of
washington and Georgetown. it reserved the
night that the government buildings &C. should
nave free use of the water without any interfer-
ence on the part OF the District authorities con-
sequently this department has no control what
ever of the use OF water by the United States
Mr. kirkwoOd is mistaken about Congress ap-
Proprlatng $4,000 to increase the supply of
water on Capitol HILL" Congress did pass an
act. which was approved June 10 1879: THAT
the Secretary OF the Treasury be- and he hereby
rs. directed to advance to the said Commission
efs the sum OF twenty five thousand dollars to
be reimbursed by payment into the Treasury of
the United States. until said sum is paid i'm full
OF all COLLECTIONS OF water main taxes now due
said District: and the money so advanced shall
De expended TO improve the water supply on
Capitol Hill" The water department did not
want 70 incur debt for the expenditure of
money. with no probability OF any benefit
being derived from said expenditure The pump
which furnishes the water for the stand pipe at
the head Of 10th street. to supply water to the
nigh points in the northwestern part of the city,
cannot be run ut its full capacity owing to the
insufficient supply of water coming into the CITY
from the Potomac river to feed the same What
Is necessary to bee done is for Congress to an
pr0priate money to finish the work it com
menced, by extending the dam all tie troy across
the PctOinac rlyer, at the Great Falls and run
N additional main or conduit from the dis
tfioulinS reservoirs. near 'DrOvers' Rest"
aeross Rock Creek. into Washington The CITY
has to depend for its supply of water on the
pipes upon which the bridge rests at the end of
Pennsylvania avenue. III the citizens of the Dis
trlct OF Columbia. who are mostly Interested i'm
an increased supply of water, will unite with the
honorable Commissioners OF the District of CO.
lumba and hay their grievance before Congress
a< its next session. this department has no doubt
but that some action can be had which will
remedy the whole trouble Unless something is
done soon to increase the water supply we are
likely to have water famine here such as is
now being experienced by the city of Richmond
Va The water department is willing and anx-
ious to do all in its power to give to the citizens
the relief asked for. but il cannot do impossi-
biity. We know that we are found fault with
by parties who do not seem to understand the
situation. but until Congress comes to the relief
bts Ia