Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-18
MENACE TO HEALTH
PRESENT CONDITION OF POTOMAC
RIVER WATER.
Chief of the Division of Hydro
Economics, United States Geo.
logical Survey.

The present condition of the Potomac
river with respect to the pollution of the
main stream and its tributaries between
Great Falls and Cumberland is menace
to the health of the people of Washing
ton, whose water supply is drawn from
this river. This conclusion is drawn by
Mr. Marshall o. Leighton, chief of the
division of hydro - economics United
States geological survey, after a thor
ougth investigation of the contamination
of the Potomac river and it's tributaries.
Mr.. Leighton says further that pollution
of the Potomac is now in its early stages,
and that wise and considerable prohibitory
measures are necessary and should be en-
forced as soon as possible.
Under direction of Mr.. Leighton, en-
ployes of the United States geological
survey have been engaged during the
past two or three months in an investi-
cation OF the water resources of the Po-
tomac river basin. Mr.. Leighton's report
on the conditions was received by Com
missioner West late yesterday afternoon.
1t will be forwarded to Congress within
a few days for the information of that
body.
The conclusions reached by Mr. Leigh
ton after investigation of the pollution of
the Potomac are summarized as follows:
First That population in the Potomac
basin is increasing at rapid rate in the
larger cities, towns and villages. Such
growth inevitably leads to the construction
of sewerage systems. and many of the
municipalities are looking forward to such
installations. In a region where these con-
ditions exist there is always a rapid sew
erage development, when once the move
ment is on foot, for civic pride and cOmpe-
tition seem to be controlling factor in
municipal improvements. In this way the
sewage pollution of the Potomac may be
expected to increase enormously
In a he Pat aSip
ties noted above, except those OF Augusta
and Frederick. Va, there has been a con-
sstent. and. in some cases, a remarkable
industrial development. Continued progress
along these lines at a rate even more rapid
is clearly evident. Therefore, there is ev-
cry assurance that the amount of pollution
in the Potomac river will increase, if pro-
hibftory steps are not taken. 1t is evident,
too, that as soon the Washington filter
is placed in commission the restraint which
now exists within certain areas in the
upper valley. with reference to the deposit
of foul matter in the stream, will be thrown
off, and the signal for promiscuous con-
tamination of the river will be raised.
Wise and considerable prohibitory meas
ures are necessary and should be enforced
as soon as possible. IL the problem is at
tackled now, when changes can be made by
the municipalities and manufacturing plants
without undue hardship, the work will be
accomplished with far less trouble and ex-
pense than at a later day. when the increas-
ing foulness of the Potomac river will
make such steps absolutely necessary
Firmly established abuses require heroic
trea tment, especially when great expense is
involved in their correction
Potomac pollution is now in its early
stages; therefore prohibitory measures
should be Inaugural ted at once"
Among other things Mr. Leighton in dis
cussing theoeondHion of the Potomac river,
says: Ft., oC
Damage Cause Increasing.
while the Potomac drainage area is in
habted the water in the river will inev-
itably be polluted the damage cause in
cIeasing as the population increases Even
IL every approved appliance for the purif-
cation of waste were installed in connection
with al! The municipalities and manufac-
turing plants on the Potomac basin. The
water in the river would not be constantly
fiji for domestic consumption in its raw
state. 1t would be necessary to practically
depopulate the Potomac drainage area to
secure an unpolluted river water at Great
Falls.
There seems to be throughout the entire
drainage area lack of regard for the pur-
ity of the water. Foul and putrid matter
is deposited inS the main stream and it's
tributaries at numerous points apparently
without reserve. and so far the observer
car determine there is little or no RESPONSE
hility felt by the inhabitants of the drain
age area concerning the effects which this
material may have upon the interests be-
low them on the stream. 1t is not neces-
sary to resort to chemical or biological ex-
animation to prove that the Potomac Is
polluted: the facts are readily apparent to
the observer.
about sixteen miles above the Great
Falls Goose creek enters the Potomac One
Of its tributaries is Tuscarora creek, on
which eight miles above the confluence
with the Potomac. is Leesburg, Va. No
sewage system has been established at
Leesburg, yet the local pollution Of the