Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06
Sewers Extended rs Miles:
Stream Pollution Menace

during the year was about 20 miles
The total length of sewers In the Dis.
trict OF Columbia on June 30. 1910, was
567.9S miles. OF this, 1920 miles are
main sewers and 4487S miles are pipe
sewers.
The total cost of the sewerage system to
June 30. 1910. was SIC, 800, $40. 81. The cost
OF the sewage-disposal system to June
~. 1910 was $4,O95, 63O.7O
Suburban Sewers.
Nearly 10 miles of service sewers were
constructed in the vicinity of Tenlevtown
Reno. Chevy Chase. Cleveland Park. Pet
worth. Brightwood, Takoma Park and
Langdon. This was the largest mileage
OF suburban service sewers constructed in
any one year. The wide dispersion Of
population, due to the extension of street
portion of the suburban territory of the
District. and notwithstanding the consid-
cradle mileage Of sewers constructed. as
above referred to, the sewerage system
mas not Kept pace with the growth of the
District. Suburban conditions. as they
once existed. practically no longer OBJ
TAM and water-supply system and a
sewer system are now practically a
health requirement throughout the Dis
tr1ct. The number of dwellings without
rather than diminished. notwithstanding
the Efforts to extend the sewer system to
the greatest possible mileage. There are
now 1900 dwellings without available sew.
ers, and several hundred with subsoil
drains and other temporary expedfents
for taking care Of house drainage.
AS the natural water courses are filed
by the grading of streets and the deyelop-
ment or property, artificial water courses
must be provided to take care Of storm
hpo So I1
much in arrears
Sewerage Pumping Station.
The sewerage pumping service was op-
Grated without interruption during the
year. The sewage Of substantially the
entire District was delivered to the outlet
on the Potomac river, about opposite
Alexandria, Va.
The total amount Of storm water pump
ed was 821.O0O.OOO gallons and Of sewage
25O49 ,6S3. 600 gallons. The amount of coal
used was SOS, 400 pounds.
Stream Pollution.
Attention is again invited to the SUBJ
ject Of the pollution of Rock creek and
the Anacostia river by sewage from su-
burban towns in the state Of Maryland
adjacent to the District of Columbia. The
District is expanding large sums Of money
for drainage works within it's boundaries
to exclude all sewage from these streams;
at the same time just across the line in
Maryland sewage Is discharged in increas-
ing volume from neighboring villages and
towns.
The only adequate solution Of the prob
lem Of preventing this pollution is the
extension of intercepting sewers up the
valleys of these streams to connect with
the sewerage systems of the maryland
towns. The only practicable method Of
handling the matter Is to authorize by
legislation the appointment Of a sewage
commission representing the District of
Columbia and the state of Maryland, and
the securing OF the necessary appropria-
tions to provide the intercepting sewers
above referred to On account of the
division of jurisdiction, requiring joint
federal and state legislation. the problem
Is exceedingly complex.
It is important. however. that the mat
ter be given consideration without fur
Their delay.