Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-29
THE LOCAL WATER SUPPLY
GEN. WILSON DESCRIBES THE
YEARS WORK.
Complains of Reckless Waste-The
Acquisition of a Filtration
Plant.

Gen wilson, cnlef or engineers, In his an
nual report. devotes considerable space to
the water supply system of the city Of
Washington and the works in progress to
increase the supply and to establish filtra-
ton plant, all of which works are in charge
of Lieut. Col. A. NJ. Miller corps of engi-
neers, assisted by Lieut. George NJ. Hoff-
man, corps of engineers. The report says
in part:
During the present year not including
the occasion when the water level was low
cred for the purpose of measuring the con-
sumption of water the extreme fiuctuation
of the water level in the distributing reser-
voir was Alb feet
Measurements of the daily and hourly
consumption and waste of water were
made each month, and gave daily average
of 4S,459.91I gallons. The consumption and
waste measured on June 26, 1900. were
found to be 50S97,2 27 gallons per diem. This
is the largest June measurement ever taken.
The United States census of 1900 gives the
population of the District of Columbia as
21S, us. which gives daily per capita con-
sumption and waste of 1873 gallons. This
shows that there is a reckless waste of
water in the District. Careful and trust
worthy Investigations made in various cities
in the United States shows clearly that
daily per capita consumption of 100 gallons
is ample for all domestic business and pub
lie purposes, and that any considerable in
crease above this amount must be attrb-
uted to waste. This extravagant use of
water has become serious menace to the
supply Of water by the Washington aque-
duct with its present capacity-76000,00 600
gallons-and at the rate of increase the ul-
innate limit would be reached in about
twelve years. The present consumption and
waste have also an important bearing on
the subject of filtration. A report this
subject was called for by Congress- and was
submitted March 2S, 1900 1t is probable
that the cost of filtration will be about Sc
per million gallons or, at the present rate
of consumption. about $500 per day, or
$4,000 annually. This is a large charge,
and can be reduced only by reduction in
consumption.
I'm the opinion of the local engineer off
Ger In charge of the aqueduct the existing
conditions suggest two remedieS-either the
reduction of the consumption to a reason
able rate, 100 gallons per capita per diem,
by the use of meters, or the increase of the
present supply to keep up with the present
demand by the building of a second conduit
| from the Great Falls of the Potomac. The
necessary surveys of practicable routes for
this conduit should be taken in hand at
once, and an estimate for this work is SUBJ
mtted by the officer in charge.
Estimates are submitted for building
combined storehouse and stable al Great
Falls, for preliminary surveys for an addi-
tional conduit from Great Falls, and for
operation, maintenance and repair of the
Washington aqueduct and it's accessories"
Contracts have been entered into for air
lift pumping plants at Champlain avenue
and the east shaft, and for a centrifugal
pumping plant at Rock creek.
The revetment at Howard University
reservoir was completed except for a por-
ton which cannot be done until the gate
house is near completion.
The present condition of the tSnel is
such as to indicate that work under ground
will probably be finished by January 1. 1901
The board of experts in their estimate
for the completion and repair of the TUNE!
gave the amount required for completion of
the tunnel proper and its accessories as
i'm a 1nf irr1, 10 t1,n
amount necessary to complete the Howard
University reservoir-to place 1t in a condi-
ton to be available in connection with the
tunnel for the new system of water supply
1t is estimated by the engineer officer in
charge that S170,673.14 will be required to
complete the reservoir, and also that it will
require further expenditure of $439 567 90
to complete the tunnel and accessories
This would make 500, 241.1O as necessary
on July L. 1900, to complete the tunnel and
reservoir There was available at this date
$44S, 01S.13 leaving balance necessary to
complete the work. including the Howard
University reservoir, Of 1852, 222.97.
AS result of Investigations in practical
| hltration carried on during the year. it
was found that the Potomac water as sup
piled to the city of Washington could not
be satisfactorily filtered by the English or
slow sand filtration, but that good results
could be obtained by the rapid or Ameri-
can method.
The report was submitted on March %.
1900, and 1t was recommended that the
American system be adopted.
With the appropriation of 5000, 600 made
by act approved June 6, 1900, probably suf-
ficient land may be purchased for the
American system, but for the English sys-
tenn the land alone is estimated to cost
1855, 5sS.
In either case the plant would require
two years at least to erect Therefore, in
the case Of the English system, 1855, 5SS plus
| one-half Of the remainder of the estimate
1852, S75, or in all 81 sos 463-or, say, 81 800
COO, could be advantageously expended dur
ing the fiscal year ending June 80, 1902
In case the American system be adopted
100000 can be advantageousy expended,
or 100000 in addition to the 100000 al
ready available. The above amounts are
asked for in the estimates.