Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-03
Water Consumption and Waste.


Potomac water increased during the year
from 1865 gallons to 1898 gallons. with
a total mean daily consumption of ST.
$4,000 gallons, as against 1888. 900 gal
Ions for the preceding fiscal year. This
consumption and ayoidable use-for brevity
We will call 1t waste-occurred, notwith-
standing the installation of water meters
which had progressed during the year to
the extent Of IS per cent Of the entire
number OF house services The increase in
per capita consumption is not due to pri-
vate consumption, but entirely to use and
waste Of water by governmental institu-
tons 1t is estimated that waste in such
large plants as the government printing
navy yard and bureau Of engraving and
printing Is approximately 100000 gal
Ions per day. Reports made by the super
fntendent Of the water department indi-
cate that the government printing office
Is using $4,000 gallons per day. the
navy yard 100000 gallons per day and
the bureau Of engraving and printing
$4,000 gallons per day. A large por-
ton OF this water is unnecessarily used
for condensing purposes The attention
OF the chief of engineers of the United
States Army. who is in direct charge of
to this waste by the Commissioners with
a view to obtaining the cooperation Of
all departments concerned to conserve the
water and prevent waste. 1t is understood
that the attention of Congress win be
called to the matter by the chief Of en-
gineers in his annual report for the fiscal
year 1917. The completion Of the central
struction by the United States govern
ment, to furnish heat. light and power to
the various governmental buildings in the
city Of Washington will result in the saw
ing Of large quantities of water now used
for condensing purposes. but this plant
will not reach all Of the governmental
buildings. and may not be completed be-
fore January !, 1919, or the following
July.
Water surveys made during the year re-
suited in the detection Of underground
leakage from service pipes. mains, etc.
151.5 miles Of mains were tested, and the
underground leakage due to street mains
was found to be 273.500 gallons per day.
This leakage was due to defective lead
joints. Complete data have not yet been
complied showing the total length Of lead
joints involved. but practically all the
ter, with joints at twelve-foot intervals.
1t Is well to further direct attention to
the subject OF waste. Tho cost for the
last fiscal year Of supplying water to the
gallons; of the pumping Of this amount
for distribution purposes, $685.; a total
cost of $2.9S5. The waste in federal
buildings and plants is about 100000
gallons daily. Were this reduced to 1,oO0.-
900. which is thought practicable. a saw
ing in cost of supply and distribution
amounting TO 5000 daily, or $SS,6S6
yearly. could be effected. This is per
cent on $817,150. An expenditure of this
amount to bring about the possible saving
Of water would be paying investment.
Let us look at this waste from an
other point OF view: The engineer Of
flcer in charge Of the water supply sys-
tenn reports that the safe daily capacity
of the aqueduct system is considered
capacity. 100000. He further reports
the average daily consumption for the
fiscal year as 149 gallons per capita. At
this rate a saving of 100000 gallons
10000 to the population. Again. a saw
ing Of 100000 gallons daily is equiv
lent to approximately 8 gallons per cap
ita, or a reduction of the daily per cap
this rate the safe carrying capacity of
the system would suffice for a popuIa-
tion of 461,000. But 1t should not be
overlooked that this capicity was ex-
ceeded on two days last year. From the
community by the avoidable use of
water is evident. At present hopes Of
a reduction in such use seem to rest
only on the completion of the central
heating and power plant. 1t may be
Of water for Industrial uses. with ex-
tensions for fire service. along the
lower water front, by direct pumping
from the Potomac.
ohe lhihS 10 Gel tdiH-until the sup
ply of water for the use Of the District
is enlarged. provision should not be made
for the extension of the present sys-
tenn on a large scale to Fort Myer and
elsewhere in Virginia. An appropria-
ton for laying a twelve-inch main for
such extension is therefore not recon-
mended.
Water Revenues and Expenditures.
The water revenues from all sources
during the year, and balance OF $lk.-
1876 brought forward. amounted to
$sS0,16a.27. plus $3.oS3.sS. transfer