Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-24
R|VERPO[LUT|0N
MAKES TIDAL BASIN
AHEALTH MENACE

Pollution of the Potomac river by
makes the bathing beach in tidal
| basin "a menace to public health,
according to the annual report of Asa
E. Phillips, sanitary engineer, submitted
to the Commissioners today.
Mr.. Phillips states in the report that
the contamination in the water which
flows into the tidal basin will be
largely removed with the completion
of the big upper Potomac intercept
tor, which is now in course of con
struction. Referring to his several
| recommendations, Mr.. Phillips says:
The first of these in Importance is
the removal of the great volume of
sewage now being discharged iAto the
Potomac river above the mouth of
Rock creek and its diversion to the
sewage disposal system. This will be
accomplished by the completion of the
upper Potomac interceptor, planned
to extend as far up river as the Chain
bridge. Beyond its present terminus
there now remains more than three
miles of this important interceptor
to be built, involving an expenditure
of more than 100000. u
Already the conditions at the Chain
bridge are grossly insanitary due to
the discharge of a large and increas-
ing volume of sewage upon the near
by river fats, and other outlets be-
tween the Aqueduct bridge dsChaiu
bridge are hardly less unsatisfactory
Park Streams Polluted.
"In addition. it must be pointed out
that the river waters, Immediately
after pollution by the sewage of sew
thrrrr Vx<1f a.
into the Tidal basin, in Potomac Park,
where the new public health bathing
beach is located. Until this sewage
pollution is effectually removed the
public bathing beach must be consid-
health. This important interceptor
should be completed. at the earliest
date practicable. At the rate funds
were provided in the appropriation bill
for the fiscal year 1921. it cannot be
completed prior to 1886. -,t
1.-The second important needed sani-
tary Improvement has to do with the
pollution of the park streams and espe-
cially Rock creek and the Eastern
branch, which flow for many miles
through highly developed parkways or
parkways now in course Of development
Along both of these streams interceptors
have been designed and for a portion of
the way have been constructed. Between
three and four miles of intercepting
sewers are required to complete these
projects. Estimates have been sub
mitted each year for a number of years,
requesting funds to complete these
works. but no appropriation obtained.
Together they will require an expendi-
ture of between $500. 900 and $500. 900.
In view Of the development of sewer
age in the Maryland territory adjacent
to the District, which already is adding
a heavy load of sewage pollution to
these streams, the completion of these
projects, affording as it does the only
possible relief, is Of very great i'm
portance. The condition Of these
streams. their sources of pollution and
the remedy for same have been set forth
In each annual report of the sanitary
engineer for more than ten, years.
*4.5OO.0OO Is Needed.
| The third important project is for the
construction of sewage treatment
works for the District of Columbia.
to be located at the extreme souther
| iy end of the District for the purifi-
cation of the entire volume of sew
age now amounting to more than 25,-
O00.000,00O gallons annually Under
| the load of this enormous volume of
| sewage the condition of the river wa
ters is steadily deteriorating. AS in
] dicated elsewhere in this and pre-
viouS reports, the condition of these
! waters is approaching the limit of
| a reasonable standard of sanitation,
anu Is now sucn, IN 1act, that oxygen
| tests show minimum less than suffi
| cient to maintain fish life. The ten
| tative approximate estimate for in
| stilling these sewage treatment works
is $4,500.000."
! Many Projects Wait.
| In connection with the steady
growth of city and it's effect on the
volume of sewage. Mr.. Phillips points
out that the existing sewage disposal
! loc, paH
| reached it's maximum capacity in 1890
and that thereafter additional funds
will be needed to increase the ca
pacity of this plant.
| Discussing the need for larger ap-
| propriations for extending the work
of the sewer department, the report
reads:
Steadily diminishing funds have
been allowed for these Developments
of the sewage disposal system. so that
| with all of the above projects au-
thorized or committed, the appropria-
tion for the fiscal year 1921 was SC
small that, with the same annual rate
of appropriation. 200 years will be re-
quired to complete these projects.
Meanwhile other important prof.
ects of the sewage disposal system
sanitary engineer. have been waiting
authorization and are beginning to
call for construction in the near fu-
ture. The Oxon run interceptor, for
example, needed for the sanitary
drainage of the entire area beyond
the Anacostia river from Good Hope
road to the southerly corner of the
District. will require about one mil
lion dollars. Already within it's area
are many dwellings, with requests and
petitions for sewerage The Oxon
run interceptor is the vital feature of
this sanitary system now, and is the
permanent future collector which will
transport all of the sanitary drain
age to the projected sewage treatment
works at Shepherds. on the Potomac
river"
Another interesting phase of the re-
port is the statement of how the sys-
TENS of the gas and electric light
companies were extended during the
last fiscal year. The statement shows
that 4.74 miles of new gas mains were
laid. as compared with $3.50 miles OF
Ielectric light duct