Evening star., 1902-08-01
THE WASTE OF WATER
Twice as Much Used as is
Necessary.
REMEDIES SUGGESTED
APPLICATION OF METERS OR IN
CREASE OF SUPPLY.
Installation Of the Filtration Plant
Effect of the New Reservoir
Work Still to Be Done.

CHSileeIS, To-Day Dy zen. ill
lespie, chief of engineers.
Measurements of the daily and hourly
consumption of water were made each
month during the last fiscal year, except
August and September, when the George
town distributing reservoir was taken out
of service in order that connection could
be made between the reservoir and west
shaft gatehouse Cthe city being supplied
through the seven-foot by-conduit around
the reservoir. and November when the
filling of the Washington city reservoir
through the tunnel was commenced These
measurements show daily average of con-
sumption and waste for the fiscal year of
55,921, 1867 gallons. The consumption and
waste of water in the District for June "a
1892, was 57,474, ,790 gallons per diem. This
Is the largest June measurement ever
taken, and estimating the population of
the District of Columbia 279,S7S gives
daily per capita consumption and waste
of 205 gallons.
Extravagant Use of Water.
Careful and trustworthy Investigations
and measurements made in various cities
in the United States" says Col. Miller
"shows very clearly that per capita daily
consumption of 100 gallons is ample for all
domestic, business and public purposes, and
that any considerable increase above this
amount must be attributed to waste. due
to defective mains and service pipes, defec-
tive plumbing and wilful waste.
This eXtraVagant use of water has be-
come a serious menace to the supply of
water by the Washington aqueduct with
its present capacity. The capacity of the
aqueduct, with a head of 146 feet at the
distributing reservoir, a head necessary to
keep up the present pressure for the gravity
supply, is 5O.OO0.OO0 gallons per diem. If
the level of the distributing reservoir were
lowered to 144 feet the ultimate safe limit
n e 10 lot
involves loss of head of feet, so that to
obtain the same pressure with the supply
additional pumping would be required. The
present consumption and waste has also an
important bearing on the subject of filtra-
ton.
Cost of Filtration.
"A filtration plant has been authorized by
Congress, and is now being constructed by
this office. 1t Is probable that the cost Of
filtration will be about So per million gal
Ions. or, at present rate of consumption,
about $500 per day, or $4,000 annually.
This Is large charge, and can only be re-
duced by a reduction in consumption.
THE existing conditions suggest two rem
edies, either the reduction Of consumption
to a reasonable rate, 100 gallons per capita
per diem, or the increase of the present
supply to keep up with the present unrea-
sonable and extravagant demand of 1913
gallons per capita per diem.
Introduction Of Meters.
"The first remedy, the reduction of con-
sumption, can only be accomplished by the
introduction Of meters. This is a positive
and certain method and has been shown
by actual experience to be perfectly feasi
BILE. However, whenever this subject of
the Introduction Of meters has been brought
to the attention of Congress 1t has failed
to meet approval.
THE introduction of meters will not pre-
vent an abundant supply for all purposes,
will result in a less water rate or expense to
consumers, and would throw the burden of
waste where it belongs, on the shoulders of
the careless and willfully negligent consum-
ers.
Increased Water Supply.
The second remedy is an increase of the
water supply to meet future demands at
the present extravagant rate of consump-
ton.
This involves the building Of a second
conduit from the Great Falls Of the Poto-
and proper gatehouses and operating plant.
In order that this subject may have proper
consideration, with due deliberation and
provision, survey of practicable routes is
essential These surveys should be taken
In hand at once. and estimate for such
surveys is submitted with this report"
Increased Water Supply.
After giving a brief description of the
water supply system Col. Miller says that
the Washington aqueduct tunnel and the
Washington city reservoir were placed in
service January s, 1902, and that this ad-
dition increased the head throughout the en-
tire gravity system by from twelve to twen- |
ty feet. The Washington city reservoir sit |
uated near the Soldiers Home, has a ca
pacity of 800 100000 gallons
The report contains tables showing the |
of the water at various points Of |
the system for each day during the fiscal |
year. At the intake at Great Falls the |
days, slightly turbid % and clear 146 days. |
Since the Washington city reservoir has |
been put in operation the water at it's eff |
fluent has been very turbid 80 days. turbid |
"a days, slightly turbid IA days and clear |
"a days being III days in ALL
Col. Miller says that the work of increas- |
Ing the water supply of the District is still |
In progress, in accordance with the plans |
or the board of experts as set forth in it's /
report dated January II, 1896. In October, |
1901, the water was turned into the Wash |
ington city reservoir from the city mains, |
but from lack of pressure rose only to an |
elevation of 125 feet above datum Noyem- |
ber 25, 1901, the water was turned into the |
tunnel from the Georgetown distributing |
reservoir, and the Washington city reser- |
voir was allowed to fill from flow from he |
tunnel. The water In the Washington city |
reservoir rose to 1850 feet above datum, |
when on December 3. 1901, break oc- |
Cuiieo III tHe suctfon pipe OF the pumping |
plant at Rock creek shaft. Both reservoirs |
were then shut off from the tunnel and the |
break repaired. January and T. 1902 the |
water was again turned into the tunnel, |
and January all connections between The |
tunnel, the reservoirs and the city main |
were opened and the new works placed in |
service.
Work to Be Done.
TO complete this work there now remains
to be done the following: Iron fence |
around reservoir; grading and improving |
surrounding grounds at reservoir; gate
keepers house at reservoir; house over
west shaft and fencing; fencing and clean
ing at Foundry branch shaft; watchman's
house: fencing and grading at Rock creek
shaft: fencing. grading and cleaning at |
Champlain avenue shaft; building small |
houses over the end of circulating conduit
and spring house, and constructing outer
slope of dam at reservoir. The sum of |
$61 .240 was appropriated for this purpose
In the District Of Columbia bill for the fs-
cal year 1903, and the work will be done
during the coming year. This will COM
plete the work and no further estimates
are submitted. the pay for the necessary
watchman and gatekeepers being included |
In the regular WASHINGTON auueduct estf-