Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-09
WASTE OF THE WATER
INSTALLATION OF METERS IN
PRIVATE HOUSES.

1.-The fact that active work begins this
week on the installation of the water-meter
system in this CITY," said an experienced
sanitary and water engineer to Star re-
porter. means that from now on the water
problem of the District will take on a
new phase. and there are several important
points in this matter which should now be
tabled for future reference when the ques-
ton of the continuance of the appropria-
ton, or for an additional appropriation,
comes up at the next session of Congress
Il note with much interest what Mr.. Mac
farland said recently in The Star regarding
the application of meters and the waste of
water, and he has evidently given this SUBJ
tect thorough analysis, but there are other
aspects to the question. 1t is to be hoped
that his suggestion that Congress give a.
further appropriation for the installation Of
meters in the government buildings and for
government uses will be acted upon at the
ensuing session.
I'm fact. there is no way of settling this
much mooted question as to the govern
ments use of water without the positive
test of the meters-it is all estimate other
wise. and estimates as to the quantity of
water used for government purposes. or
other purposes, for that matter are merely
estimates to be taken for what they may
be worth. Thus. 1t is officially estimated
per day, whereas 1t Is not at all improb-
able that 1t uses 2O.0OOOO0 gallons a day.
and whatever amount it uses it should be
metered just the same as in private resi-
dences and should be paid for precisely the
same In principle.
Government Should Pay Pro Rata.
THE position taken by many that if pri-
vate dwellings are metered and taxed the
government buildings should be metered
and taxed is ofscourse. sound in principle,
but Congress did not so phrase the act.
though 1t should have done So 1t cannot
be doubted that justice to the taxpayers
demands such a reciprocal action and no
doubt the proper amendment viii ultimately
be made.
But If We are going to meter the water
In the District there should be no halfway
measures about Ii. and all sources of use
should be metered to the end that, in the
course OF year or so. we will have definite
hgures as to where the water really goes
and who or what means really wastes it,
Thus, we have thirty fountains in this city
most of which are playing night and day
1t is worse than idle to attempt an esti-
mate or the amount of water in the aggre-
gate these fountains waste during twenty
four hours, but ii is very considerable as
the now Is continuous and strong, and
some of the fountains. as the two large
ones in the White House grounds spout a
very large quantity of water a day 1t is
not improbable that these fountains spout
several millions of gallons of water a day.
Out as they have not been gagged in many
years II is impossible other than to esti-
mate the quantity.
The attitude of the government on the
water-meter question is much in line with
that which II has always taken as regards
Its public buildings and their control and
over which the local authorities have very
circumscribed If any authority at all This
anomalous situation is well illustrated in
the passage of an act which institutes a
Tenn in a nif in Nritr
dences and which makes mention of an
other factor-in this instance the govern
ment-which is one of the main consumers
fnasmuch as business houses are already
provided for
The Matter Of Revenue
If as 1t is contended in some quarters
the water rates may be lowered with a cor
responding decrease of revenue from that
source. it is all the more reason why the
government should be required to meter its
own consumption of water to the end that
IL may be charged in one way or another
with a pro rata tax. or whatever word may
be chosen to fit the situation. The question
OF the increase or the decrease OF the reve
nue. must of necessity be a matter of esti
mate and opinion at this time. but, If, as Is
claimed at the water department, 66 pei
cent of the present consumption is wasted
IT may be accepted as fact that when the
water output in this city is definitely as.
certained and Its use more or less controlled
by the meter system, there will be a read
1ustment of the revenue from this source.
This question of revenue is, of course, a
very important one to the taxpayers, but II
the government can be directly charged
with Its share of the burden I'm the read
1ustment scheme II will be all right but II
would be unjust were such not the case
Another thing which is certain Is this: II
the total water revenue Is materially low
cred by reason of the gauging of the out
put the resultant deficiency will have to be
made up in other ways, for it will prove
that the meters cost the taxpayer less than
without them, and he will then favor their
retention, even though the total revenue be
lowered. This single result would compel
the government to install meters universally
and much of the present difference Of opin-
bon done away with"