Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-18
WATER, SEWERS AND LIGHTS.
Points From Capt. Lusk's Annual Re-
port.

port.
WATER MAINS AND NEW SEWERS WHICH HE
THINKS SHOULD BE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ABOUT
THE COST OF INCREASING THE WATER SUPPLY
STREET LIGHTING.
Capt Lusk's annual rep ort, which has been
submitted to Major Raymond, Engineer Com
missioner. contains number of recommends
TONS The report covers the operations Of the
following-named branches of the engineer de-
partment: The water, sewer and street-light.
ing divisions, pumps and wells, the survey of
the district the Office Of the inspector Of
asphalt and cements and the harbor front.
THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
During the year a total length of 81, 932 feet
of cast-iron pipe was laid, varying in size from
to "a inches in diameter, exceeding the number
of feet laidfin any year since 1872. There are
28,045 houses in the District supplied with
Potomac water and a, 954 miscellaneous water
takers The estimates for the water depart
ment for the next fiscal year aggregate S234,-
47418.
The emtimated revenues for the year 1890.
amount to $3.50, 000, and for 1891, $3.50, 600;
The total collections for 1889 were S246, 454 Is
and the refundments amounted to 1.209.69.
He recommends that one-half of the cost of the
new main on 14th street, amounting to S27.-
70, be charged against the revenues for the
current year and the other half against those
of 1891.
THE SINKING FUND CHARGES.
After referring to the heavy drain on the
revenues of the water department to meet the
fixed charges on account of interest and sink
ing fund the report says:
Means OF freeing the water fund from this
load, partially or entirely, have been suggested
as follows:
First. That the United States shall assume
the entire cost of increasing the water supply.
Second That the United States shall abolish
or lessen the interest charges on account Of
increasing the water supply.
Third. That the general taxes shall bear a
portion of the whole of these fixed charges
and that the water rents for domestic purposes
shall be abolished, the water main taxes and
rents for business purposes being credited to
the general fund
There seems to be strong public sentiment
IN favor OF the first or the third of the above
measures. and action should undoubtedly be
taken to test the willingness of Congress to
provide the corresponding legislation"
METERs.
In reference to meters the report says:
"As a general rule, reduction of water rent
has been found to follow the introduction of
meters. The contrary is the result in very few
instances. The increase in the number of
meters in service renders legislation necessary
to protect the District from any attempt to
make fraudulent use of Potomac water by
causing the flow to pass around the meter with
our permission from proper authority Pro-
visions similar to those in force concerning gas
meters would have the needed effect"
EXTENSION OF Distribution SYSTEM.
The lines of new supply mains proposed in
last years report, Capt. Lusk says, must be
modified on account of the laying of the 49,
inch main, which was not then foreseen. A "a
inch pipe should be laid from New Jersey
avenue eastward along l. street to maintain the
pressures In the northeastern section of the
city. As the area served by the stand pipe in
creases supply main of larger diameter must
be laid through the high ground supplied. The
stand pipe itself may have to be moved in order
not to be in the way of the extension of the
streets; and it may possibly require an addI-
ton to its height in order to give an increase
OF pressures. The supply main to Anacostla
should also be laid as soon as possible. These
improvements cannot be undertaken during
the current year.
PETITIONS FOR MAINS.
In reference to petitions for service mains
the report says: THE Commissioners are in
trusted by Congress with the power of order
ing the construction of pavements and sewers
where they are necessary for the public safety,
comfort or health. The grant of like power
most natural and reasonable. and would put an
end to condition of affairs which yearly works
injustice to thousands of citizens and adds to
the expense of laying mains without any cor
responding benefit The repeal of the existing
administration"
GAS MAINS.
After referring to the operations Of the street
lighting division Capt. Lusk remarks: ut is
hot no az 10,
have some control over the size of gas mains to
be laid in the streets, and legislation should be
sought which would secure this control
Furthermore no main of this kind should be
permitted to be laid without definite location
OF the same, approved by the Commissioners
before the laying Is authorized"
In reference to electric lighting the report
says the total number of lamps to be provided
for in the next appropriation should therefore
be not less than 203, to maintain which, with
the necessary inspection, will require $4,000.
MAIN AND PIPE SEWERS
The appropriation for the year 1889 was
$4,000 and the construction for the year ag-
grcgated 90, 1852 lineal feet of sewer, varying
in size from 6-inch to the 3-foot by 5-foot egg
shaped section. The appropriation for the cur
rent year Is 100000. This, the report saws,
should be increased for the coming year and
estimates are presented aggregatIng 1927, $50.
The items making up this estimate are given
below: Pennsylvania avenue between 18th and
18th streets, S4,675; l. street northeast, Sd and
Boundary, SIG, SS5; X street northwest. 4th and
New Jersey avenue S12, 300; 14th street south
east from river northward, $4,000; 9th street
southeast from river northward to street,
$4,000; improving Boundary sewer outlet in
Guiding condemnation of right of way, $4,000;
terra Gotta pipe sewers, $50, 900; receiving
basins, SIC, 900; total, S127,860
The sewer proposed for Pennsylvania avenue
between 18th and 18th streets northwest is to
replace an existing sewer which is deficient
both in size and grade. The sewer proposed
for l. street northeast and that for 18th street
southeast will provide trunk lines of drainage
for rapidly developing areas of the city.
That proposed for street northwest will re-
lieve overcharged sewers on Sd and 4th streets.
That OH 9th street southeast will extend the
sewer on the street named to deep water in the
Eastern branch. The east boundary sewer now
discharges into water course situated partly
upon private property. 1t is proposed to
deepen and straighten the channel OF this
stream and to acquire possession of a strip of
land of sufficient width from the outlet of the
sewer to the Eastern branch.
SUBURBAN SEWERS.
Under the appropriation OF $50, 900 there was
constructed total length of II ,O95. % feet of
sewer varying in size from 12-inch pipe to
concrete sewer 764 feet in diameter For the
coming year there is recommended an appro-
priation of $50, $50, to be expended as explained
below:
Extension of sewer on Bladensburg road
So $50; extension of sewer on line of 18th street
northeast Sl5. 600. extension of sewer in Eek