Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-11
THE WATER SERVICE.
Captain Lusk Recommends an Increase
in the Water-NIain Tax.

THE RECEIPTS AND ExPESprruREs FOR TEN
YEARs-PRorosED EXTENSION OF THE DrsrRI-
BUTTON sYsTEM-fAcTs FROM CAPTAIN LrsK's
ANNUAL REPORT.
The annual report made to Engineer-Com-
missioner Raymond by Capt Jas. L. Lusk, in
charge OF the water and sewer departments,
shows that there are 26, 1873 houses in the Dis
trict supplied with the Potomac water for do
mestic purposes, besides 4,S27 miscellaneous
water-takers. In 1887 the number Of houses
supplied for domestic purposes was A,650, and
there were 4,743 miscellaneous water-takers.
1t appears that the northeast, southeast, and
southwest sections have slightly gained, while
Georgetown and the northwest section have
lost in percentages of houses supplied with
water for domestic use. As regards percent
ages of miscellaneous water takers the south
east section has gained slightly, the northeast
town and the northwest have fallen slightly
behind. The estimated revenues Of the water
department for the current fiscal year are
$253,0OO; for the next fiscal year, s269OOO.
EXPENDITURES IN THE WATER OFFICE.
The report includes q number Of tables Civ
ing detailed statements Of receipts and expen-
ditures of the water Office for ten years. By
these tables it appears that from July /, 1878,
to June 30. 1888 there was laid a total length Of
200, 0551f feet Of mains at total cost Of $780,
055.65, or an average Of little less than 81 per
linear foot. The amount Of Waterman tax
assessed during the ten years in question was
$40, 344.S7 while the amount collected, part
accruing from preceding years, was s202, 403. SO.
The cost Of laying the mains during the ten
years exceeded the amounts assessed for water
main taxes during the same period by &c, 708. rs.
The cost Of the fire hydrants erected during
this period, which is also supposed to be met
from the Waterman tax, was, as nearly as can
be estimated, S17,760. Therefore, the water
main tax has failed to meet the cost of mains
and fire hydrants during the ten years in ques-
ton by Sc, 70 plus ST, 100, or $24, 46S 78
1.-THE conclusion" says Capt. Lusk, 'seems
to be irresistible that the Waterman tax should
be increased. / therefore recommend that the
rate be changed from a cents, as at present,
to ~ cents per square foot OF the property
benefited. In this connection it must be re-
membered that the expense incident to LAYING
mains in streets constantly increase with the
multiplication of underground obstacles in the
shape OF sewers and laterals, gas-mains, water
mains, conduits for wires, vaults and service
pipes for water and gas. The avoidance of these
obstacles entails increased expense, either in
requiring an extra depth of excavation in order
to pass entirely beneath them, or in cutting
out and replacing portions Of them without i'm
pairing their efficiency for their peculiar work."
THE WATER RENTS.
Referring to the schedule of water rents the
report says: "Some inequalities have been
developed in this years application Of this
schedule, which, it is hoped, will be
osfGre to an ann other in Yea
for domestic use could probably be ef-
fected by basing the schedule partly upon the
number Of water-fixtures employed, instead of
entirely upon stories and front feet, as at pres
ent. 1t is now almost universally recognized,
however, that strict equity in this respect can
be attained only by resorting to the general
use of meters.
From correspondence with the water depart
ments OF nearly forty American cities, each
having population of 50,000 souls or more, it
appears that the water rates of the District of
Columbia, except when meters are used are
decidedly lower than those of any large city in
the country. The meter rate is as low as any
other in the country, so far as is known to the
water division.
EXTENSION OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.
'The completion of the main now under
construction from 14th and streets northwest
to 10th and B streets southwest" the report
says, "will materially assist in giving a more
equitable distribution of water. After the in
creased supply becomes available several new
20-inch mains should be laid as rapidly as
funds will permit. Two Of these should extend
eastward from the 4S-inch main as far as Sth
street, one following Boundary street. the other
II street. The latter should be laid first. in Or
der to relieve the drain on the 20-inch main on
b street northeast. A third should extend
from Boundary street, southwark ON 9Th st. east
to Pennsylvania avenue and ID street southeast
fourth should be laid westward from the 49,
inch main, along Q street to 18th street, and
possibly to Boundary street, and a fifth
from the 2O-lnch main at l4th street and Ohio
avenue westward along Ohio avenue, Z street,
and Virginia avenue, and northward on 25th
street to a connection with the 36-nch main at
Pennsylvania avenue. In the aggregate these
mains. with the 3O-inch main from the Cham
plain avenue shaft to 18th and U streets, pro-
posed last year, will cost large sum. but thew
will be needed to preserve the pressures to all
parts OF the city by keeping the loss of head
due to friction as low practicable. and to re-
duce to a minimum the danger and inconven-
fence arising from possible break in any one
main. The existing trunk mains and those
proposed are shown on an accompanying map.
1t would be advantageous to have some of
| these large mains finished by the time the new
| supply is turned on, but none of them are pro-
| posed for immediate construction. simply be-
| cause the necessary funds are not in sight.
An imperative demand exists for a main to
| AnacOstia. As step in that direction. lO-inch
main has been laid since July of the present
| year, from the l2-inch main at Virginia avenue
| and 8th street southeast, to the northern end
of the AnacOstia bridge. Its extension is not
| proposed at present, partly owing to the lack
| of necessary funds, and partly because the
water is not to be spared. If possible, it should
be laid so as to b, available when the increased
| supply is turned on.
A main to Mount Pleasant and some modif-
| cations and extensions of the Washington and
Georgetown high-service system are also
urgently needed. They will likewise have to
be deferred beyond next year, unless the water
fund can be relieved of at least a part of the
heavy annual charges against it for interest
and sinking fund"
SPECIAL DAMAGE CLAIMS.
Strong Objections to the Board of
Audff I2iII