The evening times., 1895-09-07

Capt Edward Burr, assistant engineer
commissioner of the District, who has charge
| of the water distribution, water rates,
street lighting and inspection OF gas and
meters, has made his annual report 10 the
board. He says in part:
1.-THE last increase in the supply system
was completed in 1890, when the forty
eight inch main was put in service.
''At that time the city was divided into
separate areas OF which the higher, in
cluding Capitol Hill and the northern
portion of the city, was supplied by the
forty -eight-inch main, and IL was thought
no additional facilities would be neces-
sary for many years.
1.-THE demand has increased more rapidly
than was anticipated, and the consump-
tion in five years has outgrown the supply
system, which in 1890 was considered am
pie for at least fifteen years
AN examination shows that, while the
pressure is fairly well maintained on Capt.
tol Hill, there is marked falling off In
all other localities, and at some points the
conditions are very little better than in
1890
while the pressures have fallen off in the
larger mains, the water in the distributing
reservoir was maintained at practically the
same level as In 1890, the difference being
but one foot, and this largely due to causes
outside OF the draft of the city mains.
DEMAND FOR AN INCREASE.
There is undoubtedly urgent necessity
for increasing the means for supplying
the reservoirs, but there is an equal or
greater urgency for Immediately in
creasing the facilities for bringing water
from the distributing reservoir to ths
city. With an unlimited supply in the
reservoir, the consumers can expect no
increase in the amount furnished them
until the tunnel conduit, or substitute
therefore. is completed. Much jnconye-
nience, distress and danger are now con-
tinually experienced from the inadequate
water supply"
THE total length of water mains laid
during the year is 142,9O2 feet, the
largest years work ever Gone in the water
department. Or this amount 2S,9O3 feet
of six-inch mains were laid In accommo-
dating the system of distributing mains
to the underground traction system OF
the Columbia Railway Company and Met
ropoIitan Company; 81 300 feet of water
mains were laid in the low service area
and 1852 feet in the middle and upper
high service areas.
More than so per cent Of the water fur
nished the District is supplied by gravity
to the low service area. The distributing
reservoir for this area has water level
OF 146 feet above mean high water, and
gives a fair service when the mains are not
overtaxed to localities as high as 100
feet above datum. Under existing conhi-
tions, the service in all localities is often
inadequate.
HIGH SERVICE. SYSTEM.
THE high service syscem has during
The past year been extended to include
some small portions of this area, and with
increased pumping and reservoir facih-
ties it is expected to make further extern
sions.
.All pumping plants for the high serv
ice area will be concentrated at the station
on N street. between Sixteenth and Sew
enteenth streets, and increased as the de-
mand grows. 1t is expected that the build
ing ordered to be constructed there will
be completed In January, 1896.
The 100000 gallon pumping engine
contracted for has been completed, but
not yet ordered to a test. 1t is designed
for use in the high service area.
1.-The two 100000 gallon engines at q
street have been relied upon to supply the |
middle high service area since the discon- |
tinuance of the Georgetown station. and |
have been operated to their maximum
The only reservoir facilities on the mid |
die high service system are furnished by
small reservoir at Thirty second aud
streets, the property of the United States.
It is insufficient to give fair service. The
most ureent needs or this system are in