Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-20
ENGINEER OFFICERS
Make Statement as to Dale
carlia Reservoir.
THE BY-C0N Jul T
MAY BE DISCONTINUED IF FLOW
OF WATER IS SUFFICIENT.
Reservoir Has Never Been Out of Use,
But Its Capacity Lessened on Ac-
count Of Necessary Repairs.

1t was said at the War Department yes
terday that Gen. Mackenzie. chief of engi-
neers, and Col. Hoxie the engineer officer
in charge Of the Washington aqueduct, are
just as much interested in safeguarding the
health of the residents Of the District as are
the District Commissioners, and that 1t Is
not fair to them to attribute the typhoid
fever epidemic to negligence or careless
ness on their part in connection with the
water supply system.
Under Instructions from Gen. Mackenzie
Col. Hoxie yesterday made personal IN
spection of conditions at the Dalecaria res
ervoir on the Conduit road, with the view
Of disseminating the further use of the by
conduit around the reservoir If 1t is found
that the flow of water through the reservoir
alone is sufficient to meet the needs OF the
city.
No Complete Interruption.
1t Is stated at the department that there
appears to be misunderstanding regarding
the work in progress at the Dalecarlia res
ervoir. AS explained at the department.,
there has never been a complete Interrupt
ton of the flow of the water through the
reservoir, it having been used continuously
in conjunction with the by-conduit ever
since the work of repairing the reservoir be-
gan last fall. That work, it is stated, was
rendered necessary by the formation of a
bar near the entrance to the reservoir,
which threatened to seriously impair its use
fulness. Through natural processes the bar
was growing larger all the time, and If not
removed 1T is stated, would have effectually
checked the flow of water through the res
ervoir. The by-conduit was constructed
mainly to guard against contingency or
that character, and last fall 1t was deemed
advisable to undertake the removal of the
bar in order to permit the free flow OF
water through the reservoir.
At that time there were no indications
of any change in the usual summer health
conditions of the District, and the work
was regarded as desirable, In view of the
pros pective use of the filtration plant. That
the work of dredging has occupied SO many
months is said to be due mainly to the fact
that the engineer department had no avail
able dredging plant at the reservoir, nor
any appropriation that would permit of the
employment of extra men to expedite the
work.
Reservoir Has Been in Constant Use.
One of the officers identified with the
Washington aqueduct said yesterday that
the work at the reservoir would not have
been undertaken last fall If there had been
any idea of the appearance of typhoid con-
ditions In the District this summer and that
1t is the purpose OF the Department to sus-
pend operations at once If it Is found that
such a course is possible without impalring
the water supply of the city.
Some people" said he. appear to think
that the reservoir has been out of use for
several months and that all the water COM
ing to the city has flowed through the by
conduit without having an opportunity to
settle. The fact is that the reservoir has
never been shut down. The water has been
allowed to flow into it as freely as ever, but
owing to the obstruction at the mouth the
supply did not meet the demands of the
service, and so, in order not to reduce the
local water supply, recourse was had to the
by-conduit. Both sources We're utilized as
necessary, but as some people have critl-
cised the use of the by-conduit the authori-
ties have concluded to discontinue its fur
Their use il it be done without serious
impairment to the city water supply. In or
der to determine that important question
Col. Hoxie was ordered to visit the reser-
voir and look into the situation. He will re-
port to Gen. Mackenzie, and the result will
be communicated to the District Commits
sioners by tomorrow. The by-conduit will
be closed at once, however, in case that &C
ton Is found desirable. without regard to
when the District authorities are notified.
Gen. Mackenzie has given strict orders that
every precaution be taken to guard against
water contamination, and will cut any red
tape that stands in the way of immediate
remedial action. Under ordinary conditions
1t would take about two weeks time to COM
pete the dredging operations at the mouth
OF the reservoir. In view, however, of the
present excited condition of the public mind
1t is probable that the by-conduit will be
closed at once and all work in the reser-
voir suspended, that hereafter all the
water entering the city mains will first pass
through the Dalecarlia storage basin, as in
the past.