The Washington times., 1914-10-05
LARGER WATER SUPPLY.

/ 1t is possible to estimate with
only approximate accuracy the in
crease in a city's water consumption
over a period of years. The superin-
tendent of the water system of
Washington declares in his annual
report that by 1880 the present es-
tablishnent for providing this city
with water will be inadequate, as
suming that the present per capita
cf its use shall remain steady, and
that the city shall increase to 100000
in population.
More likely, the per capita con-
sumption will increase. More likely,
also. the population to be supplied
will grow more than is estimated on
this basis, for it is altogether like
ly that metropolitan water district
will at length be created, to coincide
approximately with the metropolitan
population area and with the inter-
state sewerage district that is GER
tain to be created. It is very GER
tain that before 1880 shall have ar
rived, the political boundaries of the
District Of Columbia will have be
come imaginary lines in a degree
that is at present difficult to realize.
All the tendency Of city develop
ment in this age of suburban expan-
sion and automobile and improved
trolley transit, is toward the wide
spreading city. Washington already
slops over into three counties, in two
adjoining States, each of which in
cludes considerable population that
really belongs to Washington. So
cial developments take no note of
political lines, but political divisions
must at length take cognizance of So
cial factors. New York is vastly
better managed and unified city for
having expanded into Greater New
York. Boston would be the better
if it were consolidated into one great
city. Whether the District of Colum-
bia shall ever be extended again, the
community whose center is the Cap
ital of the United States will con-
stantly expand; and in the long run
there must be recognition of its es-
sential unity; recognition that will
take the form of providing unified
public service instruments.
Therefore it is altogether likely that
the demands on the water system of
the city will, considerably earlier than
1880, exceed the present capacity of
the system, That would be true
even if there were not going to be an
increase in the per capita use of wa
ter. There will be such increase.
There will be more bath rooms, bet
ter and better sanitation, more use
of water for industrial purposes, for
street cleaning, and many other
uses. The tendency is constantly to-
ward a larger per capita use of wa
ter; and that tendency continues, if
spaces of time are con-
sidered, despite all efforts TO prevent
waste.
it is the more important to give
early attention to these warnings of
the futures needs, because the next
of the city's water facili-
ties must be made with reference not
only to providing more water, but
also to developing the power posi-
bilities of Great Falls. The most
projects that have been
laid out for utilizing the Falls all
the joint production of
water and hydro-clectric power. 1t
is none too soon to begin serious con-
sideration of the big enterprise that
will, when it is properly executed,
make Washington model city from
The economic point of view as re
CARDS its public utilities. Washing
ton will one day be lighted and pro-
rided with intra-mural transporta-
ton from the power Of the Potomac.
There is plenty of time to get the
things done right, without undue
haste and waste, if 4 beginning is
made promptly.