Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-29
WORK OF SEWER FORCE
SUPERINTENDENT McCoMB SUB
MITs ANNUAL REPORT.

D. E. McComb superintendent of the sew
er division of the engineer department of
the District, submitted his annual report to
the Commissioners yesterday, showing the
amount of work transacted by that branch
OF the District government during the fiscal
year ended June 80 last. Aside from CIV
ing the Commissioners some idea what this
department accomplished, he told of the
completion of the sewage disposal station,
and urged them to consider the subject
of sewage publication.
Mr.. McComb declared that the time has
come to give this matter some attention. In
anticipation of the time when the popula-
ton of the District shall have increased be-
yond the limit Of the capacity OF the Po-
tomac river to dilute its sewage so that Its
discharge into the river in crude condition
will be inadmissible. He claims that the
Potomac river will not be sufficient to di-
lutte the sewage when the population OF
this city reaches the half-mAlion mark, and
it will be necessary TO partially purify the
sewage before its discharge to avoid the
creation of nsanitary river conditions.
According to d table furnished by Super
intendent McComb June 30 last, the tota
length of all sewers in the District of CO.
lumbia measured J01 miles. OF this num-
Der 112 miles were main sewers and the
remainder what is known as pipe sewers.
During the last fiscal year and inc uded IN
this aggregate, the total length of sewers
land was 1907 miles. of which BIZ miles
We're main sewers and the remainder pipe
sewers.
Cost of Sewage.
He brought out the fact that the sewer
system had cost the District up to June so
last, from its first establishment. So, 49,,
40. OF this grand total $3.50, 1856 repre-
scented the cost for the last fiscal year.
He reported that during the past year
5000 pipe sewers, catch basins and man
holes We're cleaned 100 repaired, and the
perintendent McConb devoted considerable
attention In his report to describing the
various new main. pipe and suburban sew
ers laid during the year.
The superintendent said the sewage pump
ing station and machinery installation is
practically complete with the exception of
the tile covering of the engine room floor.
Nearly all of the machine tools for repair
purposes have been installed. The pumping
machinery was placed in service on the
last day of the fiscal year 19O6-19O7. and the
temporary pumping plant was withdrawn
from service.
Diverted to Other Channels.
Practically all of the sewage formerly
discharged into James Creek canal has
been diverted to the pumping station, and
the canal from l. street northward is being
filed
About nine-tenths of the sewage formerly
discharged into 18th street canal has been
diverted TO the pumping station. and within
the next two months it is expected that all
will be so diverted There remains the
work of completing connections, installing
regulating apparatus, before the sewage
disposal part of the project be con-
sidered as complete. No provision for the
dykes of the project has been made by
Congress. Until the dykes shall be con-
structed the project will lack feature
necessary to protect the low area from
flooding during the high freshet stages of
the Potomac river
He in conclusion. called attention to his
appreciation of the efficient and faithful
work of the employees of the sewer division
during the past year