Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-27
PROPOSED SEWER SYSTEM.
Report on the Subject Made BY the
Commissioners to Congress.


Commissioners to Congress.
The Commissioners have made the following
response to Congress upon the different sys-
tens of sewerage proposed for the District of
Columbia. With reference to the plan proposed
by Mr.. MCGOWAN, which was included
in the communication from Congress, the
Commissioners say that on the 10th instant
Mr.. MCGOWAN. by appointment, had a confer
ence with Capt. James L. Rusk, assistant to the
Engineer Commissioner and in immediate
charge of the sewer department, and made an
explanation Of his plan. He proposes to
reconstruct the bottom of the B
street sewer and to construct reser-
vOir at its west end, into which its
drainage will be discharged. The Tiber sewer
is to be extended from its present outlet end to
the Anacostia river, the flooring ut the north
end of the extension to be two feet lower than
the flooring Of the existing sewer at that point
and the extension to have gradient Of six feet
in its length. 8.
No change is to be made in the existing por-
ton of the Tiber sewer. A reservoir is to be
constructed at the south end of the extended
sewer, into which its drainage will discharge
The whole dry weather flow of
pumped from the reservoir into barges, the
liquid sewage to overflow into the river, and
the sludge to be carried down the river and
dumped in the most available locality.
PUMPS FOR STORM WATER PURPOSES.
He proposes to pump all storm water which
might possibly cause flooding of the low section
Of the city by means of machinery located
within the pumping stations which will be
located near the reservoirs. He pro-
poses to raise the river wall of the
Potomac fats improvement to such an eleva-
ton AZ will bar out the river at freshet
stage. He stated that he does not propose any
construction affecting the sewerage now dis
charged into Rock Creek nor that discharged
into the Anacostia river eastward from
the James Creek canal. In addition he pro-
poses to remove, by means Of his patented ap-
paratus, all distractions of sand and gravel
from the pipe sewers Of the city.
Intercepting sewers between the two reser-
voirs and in other localities are proposed to
carry to the reservoirs drainage now discharged
into the rivers.
ESTIMATED COST.
He estimates the cost of the work upon the
bottom Of the street sewer to be CAS- 900, bu,
does not include anything for pumping, which
would probably increase this item to $50, OOO
He estimates for reservoirs and pumping sta
tions S24, 900. These, Capt. Lusk says, are con.
sentative estimates, and he finds for two reser-
| voirs
Masonry, 2,654 cubic yards at Sc. ....... Is 1924
Incidentals, pumping and contingencies,
20 per cent of SlS, $780,. $500
1OGl w. ~
Estimates for pumping stations, which Mr.
! MCGOWAN stated does not cover cost of ma
chinery, nor does it seem likely that the cost OF
| foundations for machinery is included. SIG, 962
As this plan cOntemplates pumping a larger
quantity Of drainage than was proposed by the
! plan Of the beverage commission the ma
| chinery would exceed in cost that proposed BY
the sewerage commission and the operating
| expenses would be much larger in view OF
the fact that the plan of the sewerage commits
sion placed all the pumping machinery in one
station. If we assume it to be the same the
cost OF the pumping stations with machinery
will be S16, 942 plus S5l4. IA or $50, 4O6.
The estimate of SIG. 1862 for buildings would
provide, after constructing the chimneys, O
very poor shelter for the expensive machinery
required.
| The next item in the estimate is the extension
| Of the Tiber sewer-$105. 900.
| Tho estimated cost per hneal foot for the ex.
tension of this sewer Chat paid. for the con.
structiOn between g street south and Maryland
avenue) $115-7, $50 l. f.... S6i9,25(
| Five miles OF intercepting sewers. LOO
Cleaning obstructed sewers. . 10,OO(
| Royalty on apparatus. ....... 0,00(
Tow boats, barges, &c. (not esti-
mated). .................... 5000;
Tide gates (not estimated). ....... 50,OO(
| Total OF revised estimates 81 ,844, IS.
WILL STILL CAUSE NUIsANcEs.
The liquid sewage draining into the river
from the barges as proposed will caus,
nuisances; the sewage discharged into Rocl
creek and the Anacostia will still Great,
unhealthy conditions and the location O
a pumping station and sewage reservoir
near the intersection of 18th and streets vii
cause complaints. Many radical features of an,
complete scheme to improve the sewerage sys
TEN are omitted from this project, which on &C
count Of its crudeness and lack Of detail we can
not recommend.
With respect to the request for the Commits
sioners views as to the relative value Of the diff
ferent systems proposed for the accomplish
ment OF the work and their Recommendation
thereon they say that in their judgment tn
report upon the sewerage Of the Distric
Of Columbia by the board of sanitar
engineers, appointed by the President unde
the District appropriation act Of March 2, 1885