Evening star., 1918-12-02

DanQun8 tn0 sewage IrOIn lno MAIylauQ
towns and villages by state-collected
tar levied upon the communities bene-
flted. which would also defray the cost
Of construction. and maintenance OF the
state system.
The present conditions are not such as
to render this a matter Of immediate
urgency. but the population in these
areas is quite rapidly increasing. % that
for q subject so complicated, especially
in the matter Of jurisdiction and iegis-
lation, which win require Q number Of
years to deveaoD. It 1: believed not too
The interests Of the District are 20 Inn
mediate and the conservation Of the
purity Of these streams 10 important
for the protection OF the park systems
and in the interest OF the public health
and sanitation, that it is respectfully
recommended that q board be appointed
to work in conjunction with such OFF,
cials Of the state Of Maryland a. may
be designated for tentative consideration
Of the subject as soon A. the necessary
authority be obtained.
The condition Of the streams where
they enter the District OF Columbia has
been under observation throughout the
year, and the increase in their pcalu-
ton by meteorological determinations
has been appreciable. These undesir-
parent on account Of recent construction
Of sewerage systems in the bordering
Maryland towns where sewage Is dis
charged directly into these streams.
Water Mains.
During the year a7,735 feet, or 6.2
miles, OF water mains OF various sizes
were laid. making q total length OF
mains now in the eervice OF S.2ss.sS1
feet. or GAS miles. Tho aggregate cost
ef M the e,s ater.distribut.on system to june
In service at the end of the year 3,546
fire hydrants. 227 public hydrants, II
sanitary fountains, 1855 horse fountains,
q deep public wells and shallow pub
lie wells.
Water Consumption and Waste.
The per capita consumption Of Ill
tered Potomac water cannot be given
owing to the lack of information. as
trict Of Columbia, which has been
largely augmented during the year on
account of the influx OF people due to
the war. The total mean daily con-
sumption for the year was 5s,S06.s7o
gallons. as. compared with 51.454.oo0
increase of practically 100000 gal
Ions per day is mainly owing to the
increase in population, but to some
extent Is due to the large quantities
of use and waste Of water by the federal
government and the District OF Co
ent water supply is ample for popu-
lation Of 100000 people II properly
conserved, and this conservation can
only be accomplished when all con-
sumers. including the United States
and the District Of Columbia, pay for
States nor the District Of Columbia is
now charged for water used, and the
only method of arriving at q proper
charge would be by a valuation Of the
water supply and distribution sys-
TENS and the charging of q proper
investment.
The cost Of operating the pumping
engines at the District pumping sta
tion was $74.172.S8. The total pump
age for the year was 1o.s4S. 100000 gal
Ions and the average daily amount
amount Of coal burned was 6,s82.65
tons.
The underground leakage Of water
detected and prevented during the
year was at the rate Of s34.s4o gallons
day ay k77 Elth avs an aysr1ss waste Ts
principal cause Of leakage was found
in corroded iron services and Q large
number Of calked joints were found
defective. indicating severe leakage
from this source. Most Of the joint
leaks were found in the old six-inch
| mains and but few were found in
mains recently installed where SUI
fcient calking was used. The cost OF
! this leak investigation was 9,345. 81.
and the results based on the sale price
Of water at cents per hundred cubic
! feet represent an 80 per cent return
upon the investment.
Water Revenues and Expenditures.