Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-24
SEWERS IN THE DISTRICT.
Facts Frou the Annu nj Report Of Superin-
tendent ID. L. McComb.

tendent d. e. McComb.
HOW MUCH WAS EXPENDED IN CLEANING THE
BRICK sEwERs-DEFEcTIvE PIPE SEWERS WHICH
SHOULD BE REMEpIED-How SEWAGE SHOULD
BE DISPOSED oF-EsTrMATEs FOR NEXT YEAR.
Superintendent d. E. McComb of the sewer
division today transmitted to Capt. Lusk the
annual report Of the operations of his depart
ment for the fiscal year ending June So $780,
During the year there was 129, 500 lineal
feet Of pipe sewers cleaned; 22,9O4 lineal
feet of brick sewers cleaned. and 244
sewers repaired. The severe storms which
occurred about the beginning of the
fiscal year he says caused large deposits of
sand, gravel and silt in the northwest bound
airy, Tiber, Missouri avenue and B street
sewers. To remove this large expenditures
were necessary and in view of the depleted con-
dltion OF the appropriation the cleaning and
repairs to the main sewers had to be deferred
During the current year he says, it is
expected that a large amount of repair
work Will be done upon the Georgetown and
lath street main sewers Many of the old
brick sewers require renewal and on account
OF the rapidly expanding sewer system he
thinks an appropriation of 5000 for cleaning
and repairing sewers will be necessary for
next year.
DEFECTIVE PIPE SEWERS.
There still remains, he saws large number
of pipe sewers constructed prior to 1874 which
are defective from improper alignment, allow
ing deposits of sand. road detritus, &c. to accu-
mulatc and open joints allowing roots of trees
to intrude and expand. These defective por-
lions OF the sewer system are brought to the
notice Of the Office when the obstruction be-
comes sufficient to cause complaints or are
a ecnn -, %1o Is H.
lions OF the flushing, repairing and construct
ing gangs OF the sewer division. The expe-
rience of the sewer division leads to the belief
that it will be necessary to replace all of the
old pipe sewers with those of proper construc-
ton carefully laid.
Twenty-Five thousand dollars can be profit
ably expended upon this work during the fiscal
year 1922.
ESTIMATES FOB NEXT YEAR.
The following are the estimates for the next
fiscal year for main and pipe sewers: Lower
Rock creek intercepting sewer, S22S, 900. To
sewage at present discharged into
Rock creek and convey the same to deep water
In the river.
Sewer on H street northeast between 7th and
sewers between It'll street and Florida avenue
and to properly drain the low area between 9th,
9Th, G and / streets northeast).
Sewer on Z street northeast between 18th and
Tennessee avenue. 50 400 Ito divert sewage and
drainage now carried by the Sth street system
to the Tennessee avenue sewer).
Sewer on 14th street southeast from a point
between X street and Pennsylvania avenue
$4,000. (This sewer will be the
main drain for the extreme southeastern Sec
ton of the city,.
Sewer on 9th street southeast between and
streets, $4,000 (to replace a portion Of the
defective sewer on this street,.
Sewer on street northwest between LIST and
New Jersey avenue, 81, 100 to relieve the over
charged pipe system on this street. Terra
Gotta pipe sewers, $1,000; receiving basins,
$40. 900. Total, S347. 500.
For suburban sewers S19455O is estimated
for, divided as follows:
Sewer on Navy place, $4,000; sewer in Eek
1ngtOn vally, $4,000: LIST street extended be-
tween and W, S17,35O; sewer on Spring road,
to provide main drain for the Spring road
valley, $1,000; Rock Creek valley sewer. be-
tween Lyons mill and Quarry road S54, 600:
terra Gotta pipe sewers. $4,000; receiving ba-
SINS $4,000.
During the year S48, 92S.S4 was expended in
sewers under the compulsory permit system,
One-half OF the above amount was borne by
the applicants. For next year an appropria-
ton OF $4,000 for the construction of sewers
under the permit and compulsory permit sys-
tens is asked for.
Speaking OF the condemnation of right of
way to construct, maintain and repair sewers
Mr.. McCOmb says that it is not always found
practicable to locate main sewers within the
lines OF the public streets or roads or
upon public ground and to secure the
right of way when it shall become necessary to
construct sewers upon private properties, as
well as to acquire the right to maintain certain
sewers constructed upon private properties by
the board Of public works, an appropriation Of
S15, 600 is asked.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL.
Under this important head Mr.. McComb SAYS
that the subject was discussed last February
and system of intercepting sewers for con-
veying the sewage to deep water was proposed
the sewage from the greater portion of the
sewer district to be discharged into the
river by gravity and from the low
area to be raised by pumps before
its discharge. The drainage from the low
area was to be pumped also and the low area
was to be protected from the high water in the
river by dykes, suitably located. BY authority
conferred by clause in the appropriation bill
the President of the United States appointed a
board to consider the subject of the sewerage
system of the District. Mr.. McComb speaks of
the report and says that he thinks
Magazine Point good point for the
outlet of the sewer system if all the sewage
is to be discharged at one place, and probably
better results would be accomplished by this
means there when the population becomes
dense than if it were discharged ut the points
suggested in the report of February last
namely at the foot of Potomac street and at the
foot OF q street north point near Easby's
Point and point a short distance below
the Long bridge. The cost of the Magazine
Point scheme, he says, will exceed by con-
siderable amount the scheme proposing four
discharging points. The improvement Of the
sewerage system, he saws, is a subject of the
greatest importance to this community and
measures should be taken to secure its
betterment at an early date. To
meet this result provision should be
made to secure the necessary funds in
order that the work may be commenced on
a large scale at the earliest possible moment
He again calls attention to the necessity for
making provision in the appropriation bill for
those employees OF the sewer division who by
their duties are really permanent, although
carried on temporary roll, and whose
services are so general in character that
it is very difficult to apportion their
salaries among the different appropriations
No increased expense will be incurred by the
District, as the force estimated for is greater
than the force required by the sewer division
and which will be employed and paid for from
the sewer appropriation If special provision, as
requested, is not made.
FORCE THAT SHOULD BE EMPLOYED.
The following is list of the employees asked
for, together with the compensation they are
to receive: One superintendent of sewers,
400; general inspector, 81 500; two assistant
engineers, 81 500 each; one draughtsman
81 800; one leveler, 81 200 three rodmen, $40
each; three axmen, $3.50 each; two clerks,
u ,2OO each; one clerk, 81 900; two inspectors
OF property, 1894 each; two sewer tappers,
81 900 each; permit clerk, 81 200; assistant per-
NIT clerk, 1899; total, S23, 297.
In concluding his report, Mr.. McComb calls
especial attention to the Inadequate accommo-