Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-18
There is a form of the calamity vail tina

There is a form Of the calamity vail that
has no place in connection with Washington
affairs common and justifiable a. ii NAV be in
other cities. This IL the scare concerning a
general water famine distinguished from
temporary scarcity on high levels due to OBJ
vious and avoidable causes In respect to her
general water supply Washington is equipped
with a completeness that leaves nothing to fear.
The magnificent conduit system by which water
Is brought from Great Falls will remain a mon
ument that will cause General Meigs to live for
indefinite time in the memory and esteem of the
people Of the District Washington needs only ex-
tensions of her water works system constructed
upon the foundations laid by Gen. Meigs.
Limitless as to quantity and free from danger
of contamination by manufactures because of
its swiftness. the Potomac at Great Falls can
always be relied upon. II more water is
needed, a raising of the dam will bring it, and
to secure an unfailing supply for the highest
levels Of settlement requires only the adoption
and duplication of one Of several devices for con-
yeying the Potomac water to these levels The
complaint il heard that the water is muddy
and the suggestion made that a new means of
supply should be considered. Springs in the
adjacent country have been suggested
as possible sources of a better water
supply, but these springs and small water
courses would supply tincupfuls where
barrels are needed. Before presenting his
eral Meigs (then LieutenanD went over the
ground carefully and intelligently. He at once
recognized the tremendous Importance of an
adequate water system and recommended the
most elaborate and expensive method that sug-
Al
creased demand caused by the growth of popu-
latiOn- In February. 1852, he predicted
that in forty years the population would
number 100000. These figures prove to
be marvelously near the exact enumeration
and IT IS clear that no other means could have
done the work required of it. New suggestions
can do little more than so over the fields of
research that General Meigs exhausted. He
found that Rock Creek would have furnished
less than twenty-seven millions of gallons per
day, with diminution in summer, and Little
Pals less than twenty millions. The consump-
ton of water now amounts to forty millions
of gallons per day, nearly twice the amount that
estimated as the need for the number
OF inhabitants so accurately foretold- As to
purity Gen Meigs made suggestion which
has peculiar significance for those who COM
plain Of turbidity. He advocated that reser-
yoirs be supplied where the water could deposit
''earthy and other insoluble matters mechani-
cally mixed with it. which injuries its appear
ance far more than the more deleterIous iDgre-
dents. which being dissolved, do not diminish
tx clearness-" Turbid water does not imply
impure water, but it is rePulsive both a bev-
erage and as an alleged cleansing liquid. The
discoloration could be removed by allowing the
water to settle, as Meigs advised. The receiv-
ing reservoir, now unused, should be promptly
utilized in the manner originally intended.
Washington wants Potomac water, not Potomac
mud. but the city has no reason to seek any
place of original supply other than that which
she now enjoys