Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-15
Capacity of Water Supply.


The study has been completed and
the report now submitted presents the
conclusions reached concerning all the
questions to be investigated, as specified
in the act. The present water supply
the first subject for investigation which
the act mentions, is briefly described and
it's capacity is discussed. 1t is stated in
the latter topic that the pumps supplying
the filters We're designed for handling
safely only about 15.0t0.OOO gallons daily.
1t is shown that during 1872 the average
daily consumption was over f2,oo,ooo
gallons, and the maximum daily con-
sumption over O., 100000.
THE pumps at the filtration plant can
be pushed to consumption of !W0U.oO
gallons daily, if necessary, but such a
course involves a risk not lightly to be
taken under present conditions. The
maximum daily draft of water, therefore
already exceeds safe amount for the
present storage and pumping capacity
and it is probable that in less than eight
years the average daily consumption VIII
also exceed the present safe amount.
col. Langfitt states that to provide Tor
delays in construction and unforeseen
contingencies it is evident that final
decision as to the method to be adopted
of increasing the water supply should
now be made Ind the work commenced
without undue delay.
eff increased water supply alone is con-
sidered, the adoption either of the So
called parallel line project. which provides
for building new conduit and tunnel
from Great Falls to Mcmillan Park reser-
voir. similar to the present supply line.
or the adoption of the Patuxent river
project. will furnish satisfactory solu-
ton. with but little choice to quality
and security of supply
Cost of the Projects.
THE cost of the parallel line f.coject is
estimated at $685.. 100. and the annual
cost of operation. excluding interest. at
$1:4, 900. The estimated cost of the Pa
tuXent river project is Sd2i.I,GC0. and the
annual cost of operation. exclusive of in
terest is S223. 100 If the combined water
supply and power project designated as
No ,. hereafter described. is not adopted
Col. Iangfitt recommends the immedi-
ate adoption of the parallel line
it's lower cost of operation He also
recommends in connection Herewith
that a first appropriation of $2.OO0.00O
for requirement of lands, rights of
way and Inauguration of the work be
made. to be available until expended.
In connection with the study of the
question of the development of water
power for the purpose of supplying
light and power for uses of the United
States and the government of the Dis
given to a development along the lines
of the plan reported upon by NJ Z.
Leighton chief photographer of the
United States geological survey, at the
request of the commissioners OF TIE
District of Columbia.
THAT plan contemplates combining the
Increased water supply with a power
canal, to lead from Great Fails to Dale
carlia reservoir. From the latter point
tho surplus water would be led to
river and converted into electrical
energy. Jt is concluded that develop
ment of that character of the size de-
manded, is not advisable
Would Utilize Potomac Waters.
For reasons which are given at Ter. til
in the report, Col. Langfitt recommends
the adoption by Congress of a plan. which
he designates as project number >. for
utilizing the waters of the Potomac river
both for increasing the water supply and
for povrer DEVELOPMENT. He also recon-
menGs that other projects for reducing
the water supply be dropped from con-
Sideration.
ut appears among other reasons for
such Recommendations. that the flow
of the river is ample to furnish water
sufficient for the present and future
reeds of the United States and the
District of Columbia for many years to
come The predicted maximum daily
consumption in 1850. as shoWn by
table included in the report, will be
only $4,000, 900 gallons, while accord
ing to fifteen years observation by the
United States geological survey the
daily discharge of the river varies be-
tween 6O0.OOU,O0 gallons and $4,000
100000 gallons 1t also appears that
with the fall which may be made avail
able the discharge is sufficient to pro-
vide both for increasing the water sup
ply and for generating electrical power
SUFFICIENT to meet average daily re-
quirements.
The general features of project No. },
which Col Langfitt recommends. are:
..(a) The construction of high dam
i'm the Potomac river the northwest
boundary line of the District of Column
bia. and about onelthird of a mile above
the Chain bridge.
'.(b) The generation Of power by utiiz-
ing the head thus created and the trans
mission and distribution of the power.
"(c) Increasing the water supply by
pumping to Dalecarlia reservoir from the
pool formed by the dam.
I'D Enarging the capacity Of delivery