Evening star., 1898-06-13
The Water supply.

The margin of safety between a great
citys supply Of water and the demands
upon it mas been locally diminishing Of
recent years at a disquieting rate. The
present need is for Increases that will re-
establish this margin sufficiently to set at
rest all fears for the future for long
period. Meanwhile ii is also demanded that
the quality of the supply be improved By
filtration. provided this can be accomplish
ed within certain limits Of economy. The
ideal is fer water supply for Washington
not only abundant in quantity but far
above suspicion in quality.
The District appropriation bill now enter
ing the stage of consideration by the con-
ferees makes provision in it's present shape
for each of these objects. The Senate added
two amendments TO the bill that should be
retained in their entirety. One appropri-
ates the comparatively insignificant sum
OF 500" to enable an investigation to be
made 20 the feasibility and propriety of
ffltering the water supply. A report of this
Investigation Is to be submitted to Congress
on TIE day of assembling next December,
Pr sumably in order that the houses may
act on the subject with full knowledge in
framing the next annual budget.
The other amendment is in familiar
terms. having been proposed for several
Sessions and laid aside for one reason and
another. OF for no reason at all. 1t is now
il the bill in such shape and under such
circumstances that no logical excuse can
be brought forward TO avoid its adoption
Il provides for the completion of the aque-
duct tunnel and reservoir authorized in
1SS2. partly completed and then abandoned
because of defective work performed under
the eyes of the government inspectors. The
feasibility and economy of completing the
tunnel are not in doubt, though the longer
the project is delayed the more it VIII
cost.
Nor is there any question as to the need
OF this addition to the available supply.
BY this means millions of gallons that can
not now be well used will be capable of
distribution to the residential sections now
on short commons because of a lack of the
proper reservoirs. With the tunnel COM
pleted and in service. and with the Howard
University reservoir contributing to the
system of mains. the city will be in con-
dition to resist droughts and to supply
without difficulty not only all the residents
now here assembled. but also the thou
sands sure TO be added to the population
in the years to come
The money is in hand for the work and
cannot now he used for any other purpose,
So that the desired enactment will not af-
feet the governments resources in the
least. There now remains unexpended
from the former appropriations the sum
Of S293. So. 40 available for this purpose,
while the amendment appropriates an equal
sum from the surplus revenues of the Dis
trict No argument can be made against
the item because 1t involves a heavy cost.
Until this work is finished or until the
sums already set aside for this purpose
now lying idle. have been converted TO
other uses. the money will remain in hand
awaiting the releasing word of Congress.
That word should be given at this ses-
sion II the bill should in passage contain
these two items, closely related to tne
health Of the nations city, Congress Will
not only remedy a grievous wrong, but It
Will provide securely against the future in
manner deserving of unstinted praise.