Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-27
DRAM TO REQUEST
WATER METERS TO
CUT SYSTEM COST
Assistant Engineer Commits.
sioner Would Replace Pres
ent Defective Gauges.
FIVE OR TEN YEAR PLAN
WILL BE RECOMMENDED
Construction Of New Mains May
Be Postponed to Have ''s
Cash Available.

Most important among the recon-
mendations to be made soon by capt
Hugh 8. Dram, Assistant Engineer
Commissioner, on completion OF sur
vey Of the Water Department will be
a proposal for q Ave or ten year pro-
gram, under which all defective meters
would be eliminated.
In making this disclosure today,
Capt. Dram declared his investigation
had convinced him the greatest prob
lem facing the Water Department Is
the crippled system OF meters: He
predicted the program he plans TO
recommend will neceSsitate no increase
In rates. =,
1T is decidedly desirable to get all
of the service metered rs soon as
possible because . person naturally
uses more water II there is no meter
to record his consumption" Capt. Dram
said. There undoubtedly will be less
waste when the service Is completely
metered."
Would Save Water.
The Assistant Engineer Commissioner
added IL about $4,000 meters now out
Of service could be repaired or replaced
there would be much less wasted water.
This would mean, he explained, that
less money would be needed to cover
the expense Of treating and pumping
the water. In addition. more water
would be available for the Dalecariia
hydroelectric plant.
Can't. Dram announced he was un-
able to tell yet whether the remedy ne
plans to propose could be carried out IN
I'VE years. He revealed he intends to
study every phase Of the situation In
order to decide whether . five or ten
year program would be more practical
Regardless Of which plan Capt. Dram
ultimately decides on, specified mum.
Der of requirements and repairs VIII
be allotted for each year.
In stressing the importance OF his
proposal, Capt. Dram pointed out that
the Water Department has been fall.
ing behind in recent years instead OF
catching up in its efforts to keep the
entire service metered. The investi-
aator added this condition must be i'm
proved In order to trim distribution ex-
penses.
New Homes Problem.
Capt. Dram pointed out that nu-
rnerous elements must be taken into
consideration in deciding on q method
Of eliminating defective meters. One
OF the most dif1culta ngles to be con-
sidered Is the probable number Of new
apartment houses and homes to be
built in the next few years.
The labor costs involved In making
numerous repairs also must be esti-
mated. The average number Of repairs
becoming necessary from time to time
Is another factor. The probable ap-
propriationS to be received must be
given thought in order that an idea may
be had OF the amount Of money 1t will
be possible to use In this work.
The possibility that construction Of
some expensive new mains will be de-
ferred no more funds will be available
was conceded by Capt. Dram.
Pointing out that in cases where
meters become defective and the records
show the consumers have used less than
$500 cubic feet of water year for
several 12-month periods there Is .
policy of charging o fiat rate Of &6.36
until meter service is renewed, Capt.
Dram emphasized his belief that many
consumers are obtaining more water
than they pay for.
Capt. Dram hopes to complete his
survey and prepare his report FOR Engi-
neer Commissioner William 3. Ladus
before the end Of next week.