The Washington times., 1923-06-21
BREAK
CUTS OFF
SUPPLY
Chevy Chase, Edgemoor and
Other Localities Suffer As
Engineers Hurry Repairs.

Residents of fashionable Chevy
Chase, Edgemoor, Kensington and
other suburbs in Montgomery
county are up in arms today over
q dearth of water that threatens
a famine.
Because a leak occurred in
one pipe line from reservoirs
maintained by the Washington
Suburban and Sanitary Commits
sion and joints in another became
:loosened the supply of water has
been almost completely shut OF.
Helped by ID. C. Friends.
Scores of householders rose this
morning to find another red-hot day
in process, and bath and sink taps
giving little or no response when
turned. They were forced to drive,
some for long distances, to the
homes of friends inside the District
line, who furnished them enough
water for cooking and drinking.
The chief complaint of residents
Of the suburbs affected. the district
near Connecticut avenue and Brad
ley lane, being most hard hit, is that
the lack of water began Tuesday
night. Commission officials promise.
however, that the supply will be re-
stored by tonight.
AnRJnQ4F
the Sanitary Commission, today said
several score engineers and work
men were on duty twenty-four hours
q day in an effort to remedy the con-
dition Immediately.
Trouble is coming to use in large
Doses" he said today, explaining the
cause Of the water shortage. The
two accidents in the water supply
line occurred within twenty-four
hours of each other"
Tuesday night engineers OF the
commission discovered that the
joints in the terra Gotta pipe line
running from Silver Spring to the
Takona Park pumping station were
loosening. Workmen Immediately be-
gan to repair them.
The effect was felt the same night.
Water Is carried from Silver Spring
to the Takoma station by gravity.
Repair work started and the gravity
supply was cut off, Commission Of
ficials then put several pumps to
work but they were not of Sufficient
capacity to restore the supply. The
pumps working are near Sligo, Md.
AS a result practically every home
in the county was affected.
Leak at Chevy Chase.
On top of this accident, a leak
in the Chevy Chase and Kensing-
ton pipe line was discovered yes
terday, thereby decreasing what lit
tie water supply these sections were
getting. Engineers have been work
ing all night to improve this con-
dition, and hope to complete their
work sometime today.
1--WE are doing everything in our
power to get water to our custom
ers." said Chief Engineer Morse
Chief Morse said that ten wells
in the Chevy Chase section have
been put to work in an effort to
relieve the shortage there. Ho~
ever, this supply is not nearly
enough.
The homes most seriously a.
fected are those on high ground
The pumps are unable to give suf-
ficient pressure to force the water
into territory which is Of any con-
siderable height above sea level.
Chief Engineer Morse said today
that within a few months the Com
mission hoped to install a number
Of filters at Burnt Mills, Nd.
which, he says, will relieve the ex-
listing condition considerably and
provide an additional water supply.
Plans have been completed for in
stallation of pipe lines which will
run to the Northwestern Branch.
Still Another Cause.
"As soon as we connect with this
Takoma station and the terra Gotta
line to Silver Spring" Chief Morse
said, 1--WE will only use this station
in emergencies"
Chief Morse pointed out today
that another cause for the water
shortage was the increased con-
sumption in the county.
"a year ago this section used
about 100000 gallons Of water
day." he said. To-day 100000 gal
Ions a day are consumed. The
commission plans shortly to connect
it's service with the Chevy Chase
Club, Columbia Country Club and
National Park Seminary and In
several months we will be supply.
ing more than 100000 gallons OF
water daily in the county.
1--WE are speeding up our new
plans as quickly as possible. The
filters for Burnt Mills have been
ordered and are expected here at
any time" he said.
Morse added that the water short
age might have been averted II
the commission had had time to
notify residents as soon as the re-
nair work on the loose joints was
begun. He said that residents could
have helped by temporarily discon'
tinuing the practice OF watering
heir lawns.