Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-25
The Scarcity of Potomac Water.

REPORT OF REGISTRAR cox.
The letter of Mr.. E. C. KirkwoOd of Capitol
Hill. to the District Commissioners respecting
the scarcity of Potomac water in that vicinity,
the purport of which was published in 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.. f. C. kirkwOOd is
correct IN his 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,
The 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-
sequenfly this department has no control what
ever of the use of water by the United States
Mr. kirkwood is mistaken about Congress an
propTiating $4,000 Ito increase the supply of
water on Capitol HILL Congress did pass an
act. which was approved June TO- 1879: THAT
the secretary OF the Treasury be, and he hereby
Is, directed TO advance to the said Commission
ers the sum OF twenty five thousand dollars. to
De 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
sdiu bt>tFlct+ ana the money so advanced shall
be expended to improve the water supply on
Capitol HILL" The water department did not
want TO 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 at 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 be done is for Congress TO an
proprlate money TO finish the work il com
menced. by extending the dam oil the ,rau across
the Potomac river. at the Great Falls and run
An additional main or conduit from the dis
trlDutIng reservoirs. near ''Droyers' Rest
across Rock Creek into Washington The civ
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
trict of Columbia who are mostly interested i'm
an increased supply of water, will unite with the
honorable Commissioners of the District of Co
lnmbia and lay their grievance before Congress
at 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 10 have water famine here such as is
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 an impOss-
biiity. 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
the department is pOwerless.