Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-11
Potomac Drainage Area.

HOtOmaC drainage AREA.
The report is very long and among other
things sets forth that while the Potomac
drainage area is inhabited the water in
the river will inevitably be polluted. the
damage caused increasing as the popula-
| ton increases. This Is general law which
applies to all river systems. The number
| of people living upon a drainage area and
| their relation to a stream is always reflect
| ed with a fair degree of accuracy in the
quality of the water Even If every ap-
proved appliance for the publication of
waste were installed in connection with
| all the municipalities and manufacturing
plants on the Potomac basin the water in
| the river would not be constantly fit for
domestic consumption in its ra w state. the
| pollution arising from the natural drainage
| of occupied land and the incidental con-
| Examinations which must occasionally occur
| in an inhabited area offer possibilities too
| serious to disregard. It would be neces-
sary to practically depopulate the Potomac
drainage area to secure an unpolluted river
| water at Great Falls. A proposition look
Ing to this end would be absurd and fanati-
cal. Therefore in taking up the considera-
ton Of Potomac pollution 1t will be neces-
sary to start with the assumption that the
river must be polluted.
Various Points Mentioned.
At the various points mentioned in the re-
port pollution from settlements, railroad
| stations. pulp mills, breweries and tan
neries enter the river. Between Great
Falls and Harper's Ferry. where the Shen-
andoah joins the main stream. the polu-
ton Is said to be serious. The Shenandoah
| is fairly clean, but Spring run Ewit run,
Happy creek from Front Royal and
Hawksbll creek from Luray, send consid-
cradle sewage, further polluted by acetylene
gas plants. Blake run from Harrisonburg,
town of $500 popuationf is reported to be
particularly foul Above Harper's Ferry An
fietarn creek flowing tbrpnpb Ha
and Sharpsburg. receive discharges Of in
dustrial waste of what is believed to be
extremely poisonous substances.
The south branch of the Potomac Is in
a better condition than is any other trib-
| utary. The north branch, draining the
| city of Cumberland and the mining region,
! Is full of sewage waste and mine refuse.
From Cumberland to Great Falls, a dis
| lance of 30 miles, the marine hospital re-
| port states there is little improvement in
| the river from archaeological stand
| point. Into the north branch flow New and
| Georges creeks, the latter of which carries
enormous quantities of acid mine waste
Nils creek, with its tributaries Brad
| docks run and jennings run, contributes
| tannery and mine sewage.
The effect of these conditions Is that near
! ~ every water resource in the Potomac
| drainage area is greatly impaired. Though
| the most serious sources are at considera BILE
distance from the Great Falls intake and
| dilutton, oxidation and standardization are so
effective that the reclamation of the water
| presents few difficulties for the present with
| the filtration plant perfected, considerations
| Tor the future are involved.
Of Two Glasses.
1T is to be kept in mind" the report fur
| Their states, that foreign matter discharged
| into the Potomac is of two classes sewage
and industrial waters. Sewage can be elm
| ated by filtration; far more difficult is the
problem of industrial wastes The damage
l h ,t how
| hygienic, and the characteristics impaired
| TO the water may not be removed by fiItra-
ton. The water may become hard colored
| have an odor and taste which make 1t
| valueless for domestic purposes.
| The final question is whether the condi-
| tions in the Potomac basin are such as to
| premise more polluted condition of the
| river water than is now present. Bearing
III mind the floods which bring down the
| accumulated filth of the upper basin, 1t Is
| instructive to examine the records of the
census bureau concerning the political and
| industrial development of the upper Poto-
| mac.
| These records show that from 1890 to
| 1900 the population in the Potomac basin
| is increasing at rapid rate In the larger
| cities, towns and villages. Such growth in
| evitably leads to the construction of sew
| erage systems. and many of the municipal
| tiles are looking forward to such installa-
| ton. In this way the sewage pollution Of
the Potomac may be expected to increase
| enormously.
Industrial Development.
| "In all of the Potomac basin counties, ex-
| cept those of Augusta and Frederick Va,
| there has been consistent, 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 every assurance that
the amount of pollution in the Potomac river
| will Increase If prohibtory steps are not
| taken. 1t is evident, too, that soon as
| the Washington filter is placed in commits
sion the restraint which now exists within
certain areas in the upper valley with ref
erence to the deposit of foul matter in The
! stream will be thrown off and the signal
! for promtscuouS contamination of the river
will be raised
wise and considerate prohibitory meas
| ures are necessary and should be enforced
| as soon as possible. If 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 expense than at a later date when the
! increasing foulness of the Potomac river will
| make such steps absolutely necessary.
| Firmly established abuses require heroic
| treatment. especially when great expense
| is involved In their correction. Potomac
| pollution Is now in its early stages; there
| fore prohibitory measures should be inau-'
| gurated at once