Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-12
Dishonest Sale Of Water.

| The Water Department hopes to re-
pair all defective meters and to catch
up with and keep abreast of new meter
installation by the end Of ten years.
Plans now are being drawn at the Dis
trict Building to that end. These plans
write an illuminating commentary on
the financial policy that supports the
water system.
Here we have publicly owned utility
that draws its revenue for maintenance
and extension Of plant from the sale Of
water. The measurement of water sold
is made through meters. For q num-
Der OF yeas the revenue has not
stretched far enough to repair meters
that have become defective, while the
installation Of new meters has remained
about fifteen per cent behind the de-
mand, and no real effort has been made
| to catch up.
Those whose meters are defective or
who lack meters pay for their water
at a Nat rate. based on the minimum
water rent demanded from all of. those
who use the city's water. Mr.. Garland.
the head Of the Water Department, has
testified before congressional commit
tees that the city loses nothing in those
sections that are unmetered, and this
would mean apparently that the city
loses nothing In the sale Of water to
householders whose meters have de-
Perforated and ceased to measure water.
1t may also be taken for granted that
If the city loses nothing from the sale
OF water, the consumer who buys It at
q nat rate and whose consumption is
not metered loses nothing. l. He loses
nothing, because he would have to pay
the same minimum rate with a meter
that he does without one. II he ex-
ceeds his minimum allowance, the ex-
cess is unmeasured and unpaid for and
amounts to gift from the city.
But somebody pays for this unmetered
water. Every gallon that is brought to
washington and delivered in homes
costs money, and the price per gallon
Is designed to cover the cost of de-
livery and to make improvements and
additions to the delivery system. When
meters are defective or lacking alto
gether, q certain number Of gallons Of
water is being brought to Washington
and delivered In homes or offices with
out being measured and without pro-
ducing revenue in return.
The water users in the District pay
not only for maintaining their system,
for extending and improving this sys-
tenn and for supplying free water to the
Municipal and Federal Governments,
but they pay, in addition, for the excess
sive use of water in unmetered sections
and in homes or establishments where
the meters have ceased to measure.
The failure to repair meters or to
keep abreast Of meter installation Is
morally dishonest. AS long as the sale
of water is based on measurement
through meters, failure to repair and in
stall new meters Is inexcusable. The
fact that 1t VIII take the District ten
years to become honest in its sale of
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revenue, but it cannot be excused. The
Federal Government has gradually shift
ed the burden of maintaining and build
ing the water system to the shoulders Of
local water users, and at the same time
has arranged matters conveniently to
obtain its needed water and the water
used by its agent, the Municipal Gov
eminent, free of charge. 1t is not sur
prising that water rates have become
high and that even these high rates are
insufficient to carry new burdens and
make necessary repairs and instalia-
tons. Surprise arises from the naive
and optimistic assurances that within q
period of ten years the District will be
able to become honest In its meter serv-
ice and repair those that are not work.
ing. but that in the meantime there is
nothing to be done.