The Washington times., 1895-02-03
DOIHGS Of The DISTRICT
Capacity of WashingtOn's Water
Supply and Demand.

By measurement on the 25th day OF last
June the city water department was shown to
be furnishing 100000 gallons of Potomac
water per day, and it is known that the use of
water is increasing every year.
Such was the information furnished by the
Commissioners and Col. Elliott in the recent
conferences with the District Appropriations
Committee OF the House. The capacity Of
. the water supply was computed 10 be 49,
, 0j0 000 gallons per day, but Col. Elliott said
. that 10y raising the dam at Great Falls the
supply would be increased % .0G0. zoo gallons
: daily. The supply was, however, ii excess
OF the computed capacity, which was duly ex-
! planned.
| 1t was shown that American cities use moro
, water per capita than do the European cities
, and that Washington leads the world in the
2 amount OF Ter capita consumption, with pos
sibiy one city, Rome. excepted. Counting
everybody, including infants, Washington
uses more than 200 gallons per capita daily
: while the average supply in other cities is
but 100 ga Ions.
= TIE amount OF Washington's consumption
-eQDals Eve barrels per day for each citizen,
aud yet, rs Col. Elliott remarked. mot more
: than one-lourth Of the people take bath
= once week.
The reasons assigned for this extraordinary
/ SOhSUHlpliOa IS tEas II great Oedl OF water IL
used by The United States government on the
Capitol grounds, ana that there is large
quantity expended on the parkiugs. For its
supply the government pays nothing.
= 1t was the problem of providing against
/ future scarcity that suggested the enforce
ment of the existing law with reference to
: the introduction OF meters, an order having
been iesued that will apply to all manufacto-
ries. livery stables, and hotels, and that VIII
so into effect July OF the present year. This
problem also suggested the strenuous efforts
of the Commissioners to have the Lydecker
tunnel inspected, with a view 10 its ultimate
utilization. and TO urge the appropriation
! necessary for the raising of the Great Falls
| dam.
The use of meters, it is conceded, will be
attended with difficulties, owing to the mud
in the Potomac ut many periods of the year,
and that many ob. ections will have to be
( overcome. Their introduction will also call
/ for inspectors. the same as do the gas meters,
and ihis feature, it is anticipated. will meet
| with strong OBJ ectiol5 from the people.
The Commissioners will give hearing to-
morrow at IL a. m. to the representatives OF
ali ths street railway companies interested in
! the proposed Legislation relating TO transfers.
Ordered yesterday
That fire hydrant be erected at the corner
/ OF Fifth and Pomeroy streets northwest.
That tho resignation of Elias Van der
/ Horst inspector in the sewer department at
! $3.50 per day. be accepted, to take effect at
once. and C. A. MeKenney, rodman, be pro-
! NOTED 10 succeed HIM.
! a. W. Edens vas appointed rodman at
! $50 per annum, vice MeKenney. TO take
/ effect February 10.
/ Steam engineers licenses were granted
/ yesterday as follows: P. II. Quinn and Thomas
: II. Jones, first class, and Christopher Walker.
third class.
Changes in the payroll OF the water de-
! Dartr1ant vera ,1rderpd vesterdav as follows.
! Charles Wenger, plumber. promoted to in
| spector at $9G5 per aGnum; Henry Thorn,
! plumber, at 81 per diem, was promoted to
| $3.50 per annum, vice Wenger; the pay of
William Spieden, plumbers assistant, in
creased from S1.75 to 50 per diem.
The Master Plumbers Association has
been requested by the Commissioners to
name suitable man for appointment as a
member of the plumbing board of the Dis
| trict