Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-29
REPORT OF REGISTRAR cox.

Tue report OF the water registrar to the Dis
trlet Commissioners makes the following state
ments and recommendations:
Before closing my report wish to urge upon
congress, through you the very great necessity
OF its taking steps, at the approaching session,
10 improve the water supply. Everything con-
corning the water department is in the most
satisfactory condition. except the want of an
ample supply of water The rents are paid up
closer than they have ever been in any previous
year, and the arrearage tax on mains is being
satisfactorily collected. The water-takers are
more prompt in complying with the laws and
regulations and the plumbers who ha c as "a
class been found much fault with. am happy to
state readily comply now with the law and rcgu-
lati0ns with few exceptions, and give the de-
partment no trouble.
The department has had considerable increased
work in trying to have the stop-cock and street.
washer boxes, which project above the sidewalk.
lowered to the grade of the pavement. The ma
iority of the prOrerty-Owners act promptly after
being notified to have their boxes lowered. A
few make fight about the matter but by kind
persuasion have finally given in.
THE MATTER OF ESTIMATES.
IL Is difficult to estimate for certain expendi-
lures of the department i'm advance For in
stance, we cannot tell how many of the mains
may need repair. This depends altogether upon
the severity of the winter We would. no doubt
last winter but for the timely snow which at
forded protection to them. During the '.cOm-
prehensiye Improvement" by the board Of public
works number of streets We're lowered. and the
water mains i'm said streets were not lowered to
correspond with the grade. consequently they
are in danger of bursting in freezing weather
The estimate for laying new mains can only be
Appropriated, as it altogether depends on the
application of parties who are interested i'm hay
ing them LAID. AS the law assesses all property
orrna nd
quarter cents per square foot. and we never lay
mains now until the assessment is paid in ad-
vance, this will not make much difference.
THE LIMITED WATER SUPPLY.
The department has experienced much trOu-
BILE the present year about the limited supply of
water, and has done all in its power to correct
the trouble. 1t thought the supply would he
increased for domestic use by the shutting down
OF the public fountains. and request to Col.
Rockwell, Commissioner of Public Buildings
and Grounds. to shut them Off was gracefully
complied with by him. and the experiment
proved of considerable benefit. At present there
is very large number of elegant residences
being erected which will require large supply
OF water. and unless some action is promptly
taken TO give this increased supply. persons
will feel discouraged and the city will fail to be
improved by parties who are willing and anxious
to build, but are discouraged by the great scar
city OF water, especially on the higher points of
the city.
Mr.. Hy. Larman, the inspector and tanner of
water mains, calls my attention again to the inn
portance OF inserting a 30-inch stOp-cOck for a
blOW-oh near the intersection of New Jersey ay-
enue and ID street northwest. for the purpose of
1luShlnG the large mains to clean out the mud
which accumulates in them. consider Mr. Lar
man very practical man. and. consequently
attach Importance to any recommendation which
he may make.
PUMP WATER AS AN AUXILIARY.
In the present limited supply of Potomac
water, think it would be well to preserve for
use, IN the case OF an emergency. all the pumps
the water of which has. by chemical ANALYSIS
proved to be of pure and healthful quality
which are now in existence. Besides. there are
quite number Of poor persons who cannot
afford to buy ice, and the pump water
Tor drinking purposes affords them
great comfort in the sweterinc DAYS
OF midsummer. / do not think it advisable tc
sink any new wells, for the reason of the extern
siVe system OF sewerage. except, perhaps in
very special instances. There is one thing I
wish to call attention to while am on this SUBJ
lect; that is. the great Importance of the police
being instructed to keep vigilant watch over
pumps, tor the reason that often have to reDair
them as often as three or four times within a
month. ewing to the fact that mischevous bows
throw gravel and stones down them. and we
sometimes take out as many as a bucket full
Two or three arrests and convictions for this
outlawry will suffice, l think, to correct this
trouble.
will add, that the clerks ard employees of the
department continue to give satisfaction and
are always prompt, reliable and efficient The
Inspector and Taper of mains gives increased
evidences of his efficiency. and is frequently
called out at night. in all kinds of weather. to
supelintend the repairs of leakages in mains to
prevent the wastage of water and destruction Of
which, added to his regular day work.
makes his office an arduous one but he is equal
TO the emergency, and answers every call made
upon him without a murnur
Inc report Of the water registrar states the
receipts for the fiscal year ending June so. 1881.
including water rents. water main taxes and
allowances, to be S140. 73S "A. The expenditures,
Including payments Of interest and sinking fund.
were S140.2iS.33.
The estimates for fiscal year ending June 80.
1888 embracing salaries, materials repairs. coal.
LAYING new water mains, pumps &c, &C.. are
SIS, ALSO.