Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-28
The Filter-Limit Problem.

The disclosure that the filtration plant
will discharge only .I5.O0OOOO. gallons OF
water a day when 1t is in full operation,
while the daily average of consumption is
likely at times to go much beyond that
point, may we'll seriously disturb the local
authorities. The situation is indeed grave,
and warrants consideration and strenuous
efforts to solve the problem Immediately re-
sulting.
If the filtration plant Is to be of benefit to
the community ii must be capable of dis
charging a volume of pure water equal to
the maximum demand. The officer in
charge of the aqueduct asserts that the
present demand is in excess of the real
need and that there is heavy residential
waste He hopes to see this source of
waste eliminated by compulsory metering
or the cutting down of the pressure. The
District authorities know that there Is a
strong sentiment against compulsory me-
tering, and also that a large part of the
waste Is due to other causes than the resi-
Dental use of the water-to leaky mains
and to extravaganza in the departments.
1t Is as certain that day follows night
that at times there will be a need to turn
unfiltered water into the mains. thus prac-
tically multiplying for the time the advan-
tage that accrues from the installation of
this expensive plant. The filter will be
put into operation in a few months. and
practicable remedies for the prevention of
the waste must, If possible, be provided
in the meantime. The public can be edu-
Gated and warned, of course. and 1t may be
that by diligent policing. and perhaps the
enactment of necessary laws at the extra
session of Congress- the Commissioners can
shut of some of the worst leaks in the
residential district.
But one of the most eff1cacious remedies
will require time for adoption. The fire
department should be furnished with its
own source of water supply. This can not
be done In few weeks or months, even
with the money for the work in hand. The
Commissioners have asked in urgent terms
for an appropriation for the installation OF
a high-pressure fire service and have been
refused. The argument they offered was
as strong it could we'll be, but it is
given additional force and application now
that this present dilemma has been created
by the discovery that the filtration service
will not meet the needs OF the community
There is urgent need of appropriations
for the repair of water mains on a large
scale. There is need of greater watchful-
ness on the part of the police to prevent
the SenseIeSS use OF the street hose by indi
viduals, In defiance of the regulations and
the rules of common sense. There is need
perhaps. of a broader authority on the part
of the Commissioners to enable them to
conduct a domiciliary campaign of educa-
tion and correction to the end that leaky
spigots and closets may be cured and the
free running OF water in winter to prevent
freezing and In summer to furnish cooler
drinks may be checked.
Whatever can be done by the residents to
cut off the wasteful use OF the water
should, of course. be voluntarily undertaken
by them, and 1t IS believed that In the face
of the impending emergency they will act
the part of good citizens and watch the
taps The community has too ardently
longed for a filtered supply to be now IN
reasonable when il is about to be relieved
of the nuisance of muddy water and the
menace of possible infection