The Washington times., 1924-01-01
WATER SUPPLY
FORD|STR|CT !
I|VDhNGER
Officials Hope to compete
New System BY 1927 #
Funds Are Supplied.
BY GEORGE FRALNKLIN.

BY GEORGE FRANKLIN.
Will the new water supply sys-
tenn, which includes q nine-mile
conduit between Great Fails and
the filtration plant to be con-
structed at the DaleeaFlia reser-
.voir in Georgetown be completed,
as planned by the United States
Engineers, january /, 1927?
Appropriation Cut.
The question, has arisen as ~
result OF the action OF the Budget
Commission which sliced the APP
preparation asked for in connec-
ton with the work for the fiscal
year from $2,5oO,oOO to 100000.
While the plans as prepared are
elastic enough to admit of reason,
able cuts in the appropriations on
which they are based, engineers on
the work point out that the recon-
mended reduction jeopardia9s COM
pletion of the work at the time
specified.
1t also is pointed out that delay
in completing the system protracts
the danger period to the city
which is depending on the old
water tunnel connecting the
Dalecarlia Reservoir with the pres
emit filtration plant. More than
ten years have passed since the
tunnel was water drained. What
conditions would be revealed
within It were it drained Is enc
of the speculations interesting
Water Famine Feared.
washington may be facing a
water famine at any moment. Un-
fortunately, It is inpFacticable to
drain the old tunnels. To do so re-
auires two days. while the filtration
plant holds but two days water
supply. Until the new system is
completed, all thought of draining
and repairing the tunnel must be
abandoned.
Completed. the new system will
mean an investment of upward of
$4,000, 900. OF this amount, approx
mately $6,000,000 remains to be APP
propriated by Congress. Appropria-
tons amounting TO $3,200,00Q have
been made. Congress also has au-
thorized the letting of additional
contracts amounting to $3.50. 900.
Part of these contracts have been
let. Plans coveringi other work in
the authorized contracts are being
pushed through by the Government
engineers as rapidly as possible,
According to the program Of con.
struction prepared and being fol.
lowed out, the new conduit and Ill
tration plant can be completed by
January, 1927, the date set for it's
completion" said Major ]. A. O'Con-
nor, United States Engineering
Corps, in charge Of the work, today.
Work Is AppOrtiOned.
1.-THE work has been so appor-
toned each year that cuts in appro-
priation within certain limits are
accommodated. This year we should
have at least $2,00o,000 appropriated.
II we secure such an appropriation,
II will mean that two years hence
the appropriation asked will be ma
terially less, while that for the final
year will be under 100000. The
work on the conduit is being pushed
DIS TdpluIy as pOSSlDIe.
1.-THE filtration plant to be con-
structed will cost approximately ST.
100000. We are planning to COM
plete the conduit by May, 1925.
This viii depend, Of course, on the
appropriation made available for the
current year."
Failure on the part Of Congress to
make adequate appropriation this
year, it was pointed out, may result
in lengthenfng the time required to
complete the work. It also extends
the period during which the city
faces the possibility Of a sudden
water famine developing.
Ninety Million Gallon Limit.
The water supply system in oper-
alton provides 10000, 900 gallons. Of
water a day and the supply can be
increased to 10000 900 and kept
there for a day or two" said Major
O'Connor. "But should anything
happen to put the water tunnel out
OF commission the city would be
without filtered water at the expira--
ton Of two days. 1t would require
that long to drain the tunnel, and
while repairs were being made and
the water supply reaestablished
where the water supply would come
from 1t is hard to determine. Hence
the importance, in my mind, Of COM
pleting the new water supply sys-
tenn at the earliest possible date, and
January, 1927, has been fixed as a
reasonable time in which to COM
plete it, according to'plans made and
being carried out" -
Leading interests Of the city Il is
understood, win back the Govern.
ment engineers in securing an ap-
by Congress adequate to
meet the expense OF carrying on the
work without jeopardizing its com.
pletion within the time fixed when
the appropriation bill comes up for
consideration.