The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-08-02
Maj, Miller Suggests That
Meters Be Installed to
Reduce Consumption.
BIG COST OF FILTRATION
City Will Have to Pay sIro,ooo Annual
ly, at Present Rate of Use, When
Plant is in Operation-Report on
Washington City Aqueduct.

The Chief of Engineers has received
the annual report on the aqueduct
tunnel and the Washington city reser-
voir. The report is made by Major
Miller. of the Engineer Corps
He says that it is probable that the
cost of the filtration plant authorized by
Congress will be about Sc per 1000 600
gallons. 1t is estimated that s33, 900 can
probably be expended on the Washing
ton aqueduct during the fiscal year
ending June 30. 1904.
For increasing the water supply Of
Washington Major Miller estimates that
total of s67.2iO will be needed. 1t is
believed that the filtration plant can be
constructed in two years. To complete
this work in two years Major Miller
thinks that u. appropriation OF s1.4ss,-
405 will be necessary.
Excessive Waste.
Major Miller states that thousands Of
gallons of water are wasted by the res
idents OF this city every year. 1t is said
that 100 gallons of water daily Is suf- 4,
ficlent for any household or business
house in this city. 1t is added that
there are very few that keep within this
limit, with consequent unnecessary
waste. Defective mains and improper
plumbing also cause a great loss to the
water supply.
Congress had authorized the erection
of a filtration plant in this city. and it
IS now in course OF construction. At the
present rate of consumption of water, 1t
will cost the Government about $500 i
day to supply the city with filtered
water This will amount to $4,000 an
nually. which is very large, and consid-
cred excessive. The only remedy the
officials suggest is great reduction il
the consumption. This can be brought
about by investigation and ascertaining
where the water is wasted.
Although the officials state that 100
gallons is ample for any and all do
nestle and public purposes, they claim
that 193 gallons are used or wasted by
the householders. If the quantity OF
water is 20 be reduced in each house,
the only visible remedy is the instalIa-
tion OF meters in the houses. This would
be positive remedy. although an ex-
pensiye one. The meters have been
tried and are still in use in many large
cities in this country, but whenever
the subject of installing meters in this ,
ci:y has been brought to the notice OF
Congress it has not met with approval.
History of Legislation.
Major Miller gives history of tn,
legislation for the installation OF a
plant for the filtration of the water
supply of the District and the steps
taken for it's execution. Including the
purchase of the necessary land in the
immediate vicinity of the Washington
city reservoir. near the Soldiers Home.
Enough land was purchased to provide
for the filtration of the total daily ca
pacity OF the Washington aqueduct, or
75. .OOa 600 gallons per diem.
An accurate typographical survey has
teen made of the land purchased for the
filtration plant Levels were taken at
intervals of ten feet each way and at
other points necessary to establish
slopes. These levels have been plotted
and maps of the ground have been made.
The amounts expended on the several
items of the filtration plant aggregated
1856 .269. so for the fiscal year 1901. and
{ SO 66S. 10 for the fiscal year 1902.
II is estimated that the filtration plant
can be constructed in two years. The
appropriation contained in the District
of Columbia bill approved July 1, 1902.
was 5000, 200, with authority to enter into
for the completion OF the plant
at a cost of 81. .76S.405 less s70O,0O here
tofore appropriated and the amount ap-
propriated by the above act. thus leav-
ing to be appropriated s1.46S.4 .405 AS this
amount will be needed if the work is to
be completed in the year 1904. an esti-
mate for 81, ,46S, ,405 is submitted
The work on the clear water reservoir
consisted OF excavating for the foundation
Continued on Ninth Page.)