The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-01

The annual report of Col A. N. Miller,
Corps of Engineers, was yesterday sub
mitted to General Wilson, Chief of En-
sineers, United States Army. The report
| deals almost entirely with the condition
of the water supply system of the District
of Columbia. 1t is shown that the present
| storage capacity of all the reservoirs is
about 322, 00O.O 600 gallons, and that this will
just about supply the city for six days.
The present conduit system furnishes
about 100000 gallons daily.
Tables are given in the report, showing
that the consumption and waste Of water
1900, was 50,S97,2 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 27S, us, which gives daily
! per capita consumption and waste OF 1913
| gallons. Careful and trustworthy investi-
| CATION and measurements made III the va
| ricus cities in the United States show
clearly that a per capita daily consumption
of 100 gallons is ample for all domestic,
business and public purposes, and that any
| considerable increase above that amount
must be attributed, says Colonel Miller, to
waste, due to the defective mains and ser
vice pipes, defective plumbing and willful
waste.
This extravagant use of water, says
the report. has become serious menace
TO the supply of water by the Washington
aqueduct with its present capacity. The
capacity of the aqueduct, with a head OF
156 feet at the distributing reservoir,
head necessary to keep up the present pres
sure for the gravity supply, is $4,000, GOO
gallons per diem. II the level of the dis
tributing reservoir was lowered to 155 feet.
the ultimate safe limit of supply is 76,000,-
eco gallons. This latter involves loss of
head of two feet, so that to obtain the same
pressure with the supply, additional pump
ing would be required. The present con-
sumption and waste has also an important
bearing on the subject of filtration. re-
port on the subject of filtering the water
supply of Washington was called for by
Congress and submitted by this office
March IS. 1900. 1t is probable that the
cost of filtration will be about Sc per mil
lion gallons, or, at the present rate of con-
sumption, about $500 per day, or $4,000
annually.
This is a large charge and can only be
reduced b. reduction in consumption.
The existing conditions suggest two rene
dies-either the reduction of consumption
to reasonable rate. 100 gallons per capita
per diem, or the increase of the present
supply to keep up with the present IN
reasonable and extravagant demand Of 1873
gallons per capita per diem. The first
remedy, the reduction of consumption,
can only be accomplished by the in
PRODUCTION of meters. This is a pos
tive and certain method and has
been shown by actual experience to
be perfectly feasible. However, whenever
the subject of the Introduction Of meters
has been brought to the attention of Con-
gress it has failed to meet approval. The
introduction Of meters will not prevent an
abundant supply for all purposes will re-
suit in less water rate or expense to con-
sumers, and would throw the burden of
waste where 1t belongs-on the shoulders
Of the careless and willfulIy negligent con-
sumner.
THE second remedy is an increase Of the
water supply 10 meet future demand at the
present extravagant rate OF consumption.
This involves the building of q second con-
duit from the Great Falls of the Potomac,
with the necessary reservoirs, If any. and
proper gatehouses and operating plant. In
order that this subject may have proper
consideration, with due elaboration and
provision, survey of practicable routes is
essential. These surveys should be taken
in hand at once and an estimate Of $4,000
for such surveys is submitted with this re-
pert"
During the S65 days of the fiscal year
ended June 80 last the water served to the
people of the District of Columbia was very
turbid sixty-one days, turbid twenty-five
days. slightly turbid twenty days, and
clear 259 days.
It is estimated that s170.G73I4 will be
required to complete the Howard Univer-
sity reservoir and also that II will require
a further expenditure Of $439, 567.96 to com
plete the tunnel and accessories. This |
would make s610, 24110 as necessary on
July l, 1900, 20 complete the tunnel and
reservoir. There was available at this date
si4s,01S.18. leaving a balance necessary to |
complete the work. including the Howard |
reservoir, of Sle2. 222.97.
BY an act approved June 6. 1900, an ap-
preparation Of $20G,O00 was made for es-
tahlishing those portions of a filtration
plant which are essential TO the operation
of either system of filtration adopted, in
Guiding necessary land, grading, masonry, |
and appurtenances. Colonel Miller says
that the necessary studies resulted in the |
submission Of a project for the purchase |
Of land for filter plant and clear water |
basin suitable for the operation Of either |
system.
In a previous report Colonel Miller says |
estimates were submitted of 81 461 1873 for |
the slow or English system, and $1,OS1, 377 /
ton. 1t appears from the Appropriation act |
that Congress. although expressing APP
prevail of some system Of filtration as nee
essary. has not definitely decided which |
system should be adopted.
With the appropriation OF 5000, 900, Colo
mel Miller says that probably sufficient
land may be purchased for the American
system, but that for the English system
the necessary land alone is estimated to
cost S555,5SS.