Evening star., 1934-09-07
FAULTY PLUMBING
IN DISTRICT HELD
MENAC|NG HEALTH
Inspector Warns Epidemic
of Diseases May Follow
"Bad" Connections.
ASKS THREE DISMISSED
WORKERS BE REHIRED
Properly Installed Pipes Need
Inspection Regularly, McGone-
gal Says in Report.

A pointed warning that an epidemic
of diseases might be caused in WASH
ington by illegal or faulty plumbing
connections in water pipes was made
today by A. r. McGonegal, District
plumbing inspector, in his annual re-
port to the Commissioners.
He makes plea for restoration of
three employees of his inspection divi-
sion who were dismissed during the
past fiscal year for economy" rea-
sons, and the employment of at least
two additional inspectors, or prefer
ably three or four, If funds can be
found for the purpose. -McGonegal
declared that as his Office now is con-
stituted sit is physically incapable of
giving the people of the District the
service it was organized to give"
During the year the number of
complaints Of illegal plumbing con-
tinued to increase until it was phys
ically impossible to prosecute them"
he said. In those cases which were
prosecuted, it was found that fixtures
had been installed without proper
traps so that sewer air entered build
ings to the detriment of the health
of the occupants, and that cross con-
nections between Potomac water sup
ply and sewer, or waste pipes, were
frequent"
Regulations Good.
The official informed the Commits
sioners that the plumbing regulations
of the District are second to none"
and are drawn to prevent improper
construction and to cope with illegal
plumbing being done without permit
and inspection by those not licensed
under the law.
He declared, however, there is no
assurance that the pure and whole
some water delivered to any premises
by the District will not be polluted
at individual properties and cause
sickness and death, by reason of i'm
proper plumbing connections.
He said that because of the lack
of sufficient personnel, his Office is
unable to stand the rising tide of
illegal and improper plumbing being
done in the District" He asked for
funds. for employment. of additional
inspectors to protect Washington resi-
dents and the tens of thousands of
visitors here annually.
Cites Chicago Epidemic.
McGonegal took the opportunity to
cite as a warning the epidemic of
amoebic dysentry which occurred In
two Chicago hotels last Fall, causing
the death of SO or more persons and
the illness of hundreds. He reported
that board of surgeons and sanitary
engineers found the outbreak of the
disease was caused by old and worn
plumbing and by cross connections
made in violation of Chicago plumbing
regulations. Cross connections were
made by unauthorized workers In vio-
lation of the law, he said.
McGonegal said the principal duty &C
his office was to inspect plumbing
when it was installed and to make
sure it was gas and water tight at
the time. He emphasized, however,
that there Is no guarantee that prop
erly installed plumbing will continue
safe after period Of years.
For this reason he recommended
that means be provided for careful
reinspection of all plumbing at regular
periods, suggesting that it be done
every five years. He said the Amer
ican Society of Sanitary Engineering
Is sponsoring such program.