Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-09
INCREASED WATER
REQUIRED BY 1880
Supt. Garland Urges Imme-
date Steps to Provide
for Future.
LARGE WASTAGE AVERTED
THROUGH STOPPING LEAKS
Installation of Meters and Sugges-
lions to Consumers Also Con-
serve Supply.

That the District of Columbia will be
in need of an additional water supply
by not later than 1880 is the prediction
of John S. Garland, superintendent of
the District water department, in his
annual report submitted to the Com
missioners today.
BY that time Washington's popula-
ton will be 5000 and the capacity of
the present conduit will have been
reached, he estimates. The report en-
phasizes the Importance Of immediate
steps being taken to insure against a
water famine in the next few years.
Huge Wastage Stopped.
One of the striking features Of the
report is the statement that during
the past fiscal year the pitometer divi-
sion of the department located and
sopped underground leakage amounting
to 1,s2S.s00 gallons day. By eliminat-
ing waste of water in mechanical proc
esses conducted by several federal in
situations the department also last
year made possible a saving of about
100000 gallons of water daily.
Extensive installation of meters, sys-
tematic underground surveys for the
detection of leaks and wastes. careful
inspection of services and suggestions
to large consumers as to how they
may economic in the use of water is
bringing the department each year
nearer to a per capita consumption OF
1870 gallons per day, 1t is stated. This
is regarded as an ample rate of con-
sumption.
Mains Laid During Year.
During the past fiscal year the de-
partment laid 60,023 feet or ia miles
Of mains at total cost of $102,322.04.
This brings the total length of mains
in the distribution system up to 3,172.-
453 feet or 6O0.s miles. During the year
6.273 water meters were installed at a cost
of s71.95o.93. bringing the total num-
to 4s.411. OF the 6s.365 services now in
by far the most important job of
water main construction work ac-
the report, was the laying of 1886
feet Of thirty-six-inch trunk main on
line to Brightwood reservoir in 18th
street and Meridian street northwest.
This work was done by force of nine
ty-five men in forty-nve days and in
thirty-six-inch pipe laid on old dag
onal line in 14th street road. While
this work was in progress 1t was nee
essary to supply the second high serv-
ice for a period Of eleven days by
direct pumpage.
"At Brightwood reservoir a most un-
usual situation developed while the
south basin was empty for cleaning.
Some of the cement floor slabs were OBJ
served lifted out of place by the Leak
age of water from the north basin be-
meath the division wall. The eighteen
inch open terra-cotta drain constructed
under the division wall to intercept and
carry Off all leakage was found to be
deposit from the cement walls. thus
causing the pressure under the floor of
the empty basin.
Takes Care Of Leakage.
"A new cast-iron twenty-inch open
joint drain was laid along the south
edge of the division wall with a suffi-
cient grade to carry off all leakage.
and a curtain wall was constructed
where necessary beneath the edges of
the division wall Sixteen new floor
slabs. sixteen feet by sixteen feet by
one foot thick, were laid to repair the
floor of the south basin. Concrete
plugs were placed at corners of old
slabs wherever leaks were observed
and all joints were filled with water
proofng compound. including expan-
sion joints at division walls. While
this work was in progress the reservoir
was out of service. and the second high
territory was supplied by direct pump
age.
Accompanying the superintendent
report is a report by George w. Wal
| lace, head of the water registrars Of
| fee of the water department. This
shows that during the year 5o,054 ex-
aminations for leaks were made; that
| 500 abandoned water services were dis
connected at the tap in the main and
! that the water supply. was cut off from
4,543 houses during the period Of va
| cancy, which has resulted in the saw
| ing of considerable amount of water.
! During the year 1873 new service con-
nections and 979 repairs were made.