Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-11
TEN-YEAR WATER
PROGRAM TAKES
ON DEFINITE FORM
Plan Calls for Complete
Metering and Replacement
of Defective Units.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
TO CARE FOR FUTURE
Encouragement of Gravity Flow
Area Is Being Considered
Under Plan.

Metering of all water consumed in
the District and the replacement of all
disabled and defective meters now in
service within 10 years, is contemplated
in the proposed water improvement and
extension program now taking definite
shape at the District Building, it was
disclosed today by Capt. Hugh Dram,
assistant engineer commissioner.
The program is designed to cover q
period of 10 years, and is being worked
out by District officials in coordination
with the United States engineers Office
for the District, which has supervision
over the water supply system. It also
will provide for complete modernization
of the distribution system and num-
Der of improvements and additions to the
supply system to meet prospective needs
of the future as the population contin-
ues to increase
Rearrange Gravity Area.
Another improvement under conSid-
Grafton which may be included In the
program Is Encouragement of the area
now served by gravity flow, which would
place the downtown business section on
the first high pumping service, provid-
ing increased pressure for the new Gov
eminent buildings, as well as for the
A4OAICAO0o RI1NdJC Ou1luLIlSS III I1l1S dlChs
Recent disclosures brought to light
that not more than IS per cent of the
water used in the District is metered
and that more than $4,000 Of the meters
in service are either mechanically de-
fective, disabled or not functioning
properly.
Capt. Dram explained that utmost
attention has been given the meter
situation in the preparation of the pro-
ND ~ he 10 finac IN
be contained in 1t are carried out the
District will have 100 per cent meter
service at the end of 10 years, with all
of the meters in first-clasS operating
condition and measuring accurately the
amount of water consumed.
To Extend Meter Service.
The program will provide for gradual
elimination Of the defective meters and
extension of the meter service to con-
Sumers whose water is not now metered.
A large majority of the disabled meters.
1t is believed, can be restored to proper
operating condition by minor repairs or
cleaning, but some of them undoubtedly
will have to be scrapped.
Immediate replacement of the I'M
satisfactory meters and extension Of
| the meter service to consumers without
meters, it was pointed out, is not only
physically impossible at this time, but
would throw too much of a financial
burden on the Water Department,
which is self-supporting, revenues from
the sale of water being its only source
of income. An increase in water rates,
therefore, would l., the only means Of
improving the meter situation within
the period of few years and this Dis
trict officials are endeavoring to avoid,
if possible.
Additional distributing reservoirs and
increased pumping facilities may be
provided for the supply system in the
program, it was indicated, but the
major improvements contemplated are
in the distribution system. which is still
using mains placed in the ground so
and 60 years ago. Many of these mains
will be replaced, especially in the BUSH
ness section If this area is put on the
first high pumps. Some of the old
pipes in this section, it is believed, are
not in condition to Withstand increased
pressure.
"BOttleneck" to Be Removed.
-he most urgent improvements. how
ever, will be taken care of in the first
installment Of the program. Outstand-
ing among these, in the opinion Of
District officials, is the elimination Of
So-called "bottleneck" in one of the
trunk mains running from the new
Dalecarlia Reservoir through Mount
Pleasant and Columbia Heights. The
"bottleneck" consists of 24-inch main
connected at both ends to a 36-inch
main which results In a decided de-
crease in pressure in Mount Pleasant
and the points beyond on the trunk
main.
The economy of transferring the BUSH
ness section from the gravity flow to the
nrst nlgn pumping area is principal
factor which will influence District off,
Gals In deciding whether this change
should be- RECOMMENDED in the 10 years
program. A survey already has been
made to determine the cost to owners
OF private buildings in the business Sec
ton OF pumping water to the upper
stories. If the result shows that it will
bring about decided saving and the
expense of Strengthening the distribu-
ton system in this area to carry the
increased pressure is not too costly,
then the change likely will be recon-
mended.
The area bounded roughly by Twenty
first on the west, Judiciary Square on
the east, K street on the north and
the Mall on the south is that under
consideration for increased pressure
through shift from gravity flow to the
first high pumps. Thus the new Gov
eminent buildings in the Pennsylvania
avenue-Mall triangle would get the BEN
EFT OF higher pressure than now avail
able under the gravity flow.
Definite steps to put the proposed
10year program in final shape for con-
Sideration of the Commissioners will be
taken early next week by Capt. Dram,
who was directed by Engineer Commits
Sioner William B. Ladue weeks ago to
make a study of the water situation.
Capt. Dram is now awaiting the rec
of the Water Depart
ment before proceeding with his report.
The proposed 10-year program is the
outgrowth of a tentative fiVe-year pro-
gram developed several months ago by
the Water Department, which was
predicated on a so per cent increase in
water rates. The phenomenal growth
of Washington and the likelihood of a
continued increase in population con-
vinced both District officials and those
with the United States en-
yineer's Office that the program should
be extended further into the future.
The program will be flexible to per-
NIT revisions that may be found nee
essary from year to year 1t will be car
Red out as unit by both the District
ana United States engineers Office.
Deputy Indicted in Boys Death.