Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-15
BY DONALD A. CRAIG.

Meny years before it becomes neces-
Eary to find more water for Washington
City a serious situation may arise in
some part of the region surrounding
the city, in the opinion Of the Joint
Water Committee which has been max
ing a study of future water needs under
the craftsmanship of Lieut.. Col. u. S.
Grand, Sd. director of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission.
With the rapid growth in population
in Arlington County, Va, for instance,
the question of charging the pipeline
facilities at Chain Bridge, by which
that county is served with water from
the District of Columbia system, may
become critical, according to the COM
nlittee.
The members of the committee from
Arlington County believe that it is best
for the county to continue to depend
on cooperation with the Federal Gov
eminent and the District of Columbia
for future water supply.
Must Share Expansion Costs.
at is recognized" declares the COM
mittee in its preliminary report, that
such cooperation will involve sharing
in the cost of expansion of the Dis
trict facilities. because the present sup
plv is sufficient for all foreseeable needs
Of the District alone but is insufficient
to supply both the District and Airing
ton County"
II has been proposed that additional
water for Arlington County be drawn
from the Potomac River at Little Falls,
Just above Chain Bridge, but this sug--
gestion has not met with the approval
of the Arlington County members OF
the Water Committee. Joint action OF
all authorities, or at least Fhose of the
Federal Government and Arlington
County. to supply that county and the
City of Washington from the Potomac
River at Great Falls is the plan that
has the greatest appeal to- the repre-
sentatives of Arlington County who
have made a study of the problem.
An estimated steady growth in the
population of the District of Columbia
and the surrounding portions of Mary
land and Virginia will be the determln-
ing factor in the future demand for
water in this region, according to the
view Of the committee.
Industrial Usage Less Vital Here.
In any other city but this the in
crease in the use of water for manu-
featuring and industrial purposes would
have to be taken into consideration as
we'll, but the committee does not be-
lieve that Is necessary in Washington
and its environs because of the COM
paratively small amount of water used,
or likely ever to be used, here for such
purposes.
The committee has proceeded upon
the theory that Washington will con-
tinue to be chiefly residential city
and will not become manufacturing
or industrial center.
Careful estimates of the probable popu-
lation increase. based upon past expert
ence here and the growth of other cities,
have been made by the committee for
the whole Washington area. 1t is esti-
mated that the population of the Dis
trict of Columbia in 1855 will be 1884,
and in 1880 it will be 1900 900 persons.
This would mean. it is estimated,
consumption of 119 million gallons of
water per day in 1855 and 168 million
gallons per day in 1880.
For Arlington County, Va, the popu-
lation in 1855 is placed at 10000 and
the water consumption at 1882 million
gallons per day. In 1880 1t is placed
at $4,000 persons and 63.32 million
gallons per day.
The population of Alexandria City in
1855 is estimated at $4,000 and the
water consumption at 4.92 million gall
Ions per day In 1880 the population
is placed at $4,000 and the water con-
sumption 6.3 million gallons per day.
Fairfax County Growth Estimated.
Fairfax County in 1855 is given a
population of $4,000 and water con-
sumption of 4.62 million gallons per
day. The figures for 1880 are $4,000
population and GIG million gallons per
day.
The Washington Suburban Sanitary
District. including portions of both
Montgomery and Prince Georges Coun-
ties, Md, adjacent TO the boundaries
Of the District of Columbia, is given
a population in 1855 of 10000 and a
water consumption of 1852 million gall
Ions per day. In 1880 the population