Evening star., 1923-07-04
Water Department Omits
Project Because of High
insurance.
$500, 900 NEEDED FOR
WORK ON TRUNK MAINS
Total Estimates Will Reach Nearly
Million-and-Half
Mark.

The water department is not asking
for the installation Of high-pressure
fire hydrants in the business section
in its estimates for next year, 1t was
learned today from reliable sources.
The reason for omitting the project
is said to be the inability of District
officials to obtain any assurance that
the fire insurance companies would
reduce rates here following installa-
tion of high-pressure mains.
The department has figures on file.
however, as to the approximate cost
OF erecting the pumping station and
laying the high-pressure mains in
case the Commissioners want to con-
slider the question when they begin to
go over the estimates.
Although the high pressure system
has been left out, the water depart
ment will make strong effort to get
permission in the next District bill to
lay more than 100000 worth of
urgently needed trunk mains in all
parts of the city.
Complete Estimates, 81 500. 900.
The complete estimates of the water
department will total close to $780,
900. which figure includes the 100000
for new trunk pipes.
The water department is the only
self-supporting branch Of the city
government, being maintained entire
ly from water rent collections. But
despite the fact that the federal gov
ernment pays no part of the cost of
running the water distribution sys-
tenn. Congress has failed during the
past few years to authorize this de-
partment to spend as much as IL
takes In.
AS a result there is an uneXpended
balance of about 100000 in the water
rent account. 1t is estimated that
water rents for the fiscal year will
slightly exceed S1,000,000.
Seeks to Spend Own Money.
Therefore, in submitting to the
Commissioners estimates for 1,500,0 900
the department is seeking authority
to spend on urgent work it's unex-
pended balance as well as the money
to be taken in next year.
Here are the most important of the
trunk mains that have been asked for
in the new budget:
A thirty-inch main in Rhode Island
avenue northeast, from 9Th to 18th, to
relieve a weak link in the service to
Langdon and Brookland.
A new sixteen-inch pipe from 18th
and Minnesota avenue to the vicinity
of Boiling Field, to afford needed i'm
provement in pressure in Anacostia.
A sixteen-inch line in Nebraska ave-
nue. and Jewett street. to bolster up
the fourth high pumping area.
A SiXteeninch line in New Hamp-
shire avenue, from Grant Circle to
Kennedy street.
A sixteen-inch trunk in lexington
place, from Florida avenue, north
easterly toward Rhode Island avenue.
A sixteen-inch trunk in Wisconsin
avenue, Georgetown.
A tWelve-inch main in Blagden ave-,
nue..
Another important item in the water
estimates is "A request for new pump
for the second high service to re-
place a worn out one.
One official of the engineer depart
ment believes 1t would be wiser to
buy more apparatus and other equip
ment for the fire department than
to put the high pressure hydrant
project before Congress at this time.
Heads of the water department do
not believe the campaign for econ
omy in government expenditures
should cause their estimates to be
cut in view of the fact that it costs
the Federal Treasury nothing to or
der new water mains.