Evening star., 1934-11-04

NSSAAe24ANSA l OAAA - Nv q NSS'
Works Administration, the public
works administrator has agreed to
the prompt starting of work on the
primary treatment system for the
District having a total cost OF S4,-
100000. Final solution of the Dis
trict's sewage problem may not be
attained for a considerable period,
but the project to be undertaken i'm
mediately will provide a functionlng
useful work to meet present require
ments.
The work on the primary system
under the financing already provided
through P. w. A. can commence with
out further action by the Public Works
Administration on transfer OF fundS
by the administrator, which, I am as
sured, will be forthcoming promptly.
Representing the District Com
missioners, called on the public works
administrator today Saturday, No
vember 81 and confirmed an agree
ment recently negotiated to the mutual
satisfaction of the District and the
Public Works Administration provid-
ing for start of construction on the
revised plans.
SS,OOO,000 Authorized.
Congress authorized the loan by
the Public Works Administration to
the District of Columbia of S8,000,000
for a sewage treatment plant. This
legislation fixes the maximum amount
Of money that may be spent which
maximum is based upon the report of
a board of eminent consulting engi-
neers who contemplated complete
treatment of all sewage based on the
population of Washington as expected
in 1850.
The whole problem has been the
subject of intensive study during the
past weeks by the Engineer Commits
sioner, by the consulting engineers
and by the engineers of the Public
Works Administration. In general
two major factors present themselves:
First, determination of the degree of
treatment now advisable for the re-
duction of the unsatisfactory condi-
t1onS in the Potomac River; and, Sec
ond, determination of the least ex-
pensive method or methods by which
this degree of treatment can best be
secured.
Under the contract signed some
weeks ago by the Commissioners, so
much of the $8,000,O0O was to be
used as might be needed for the
main treatment plant at Blue Plains
and any money not used could be
returned to the P. w. A. without obli-
cation or loss on the part of the
District of Columbia. Mr. Ickes,
under the terms of this contract, re-
served the right to approve all con-
tracts and specifications.
1T has been mutually agreed by
the District Commissioners and Mr.
Ickes that present expenditures on
the sewage treatment plant will be
confined to primary treatment at a
total cost of S4,000,000 1t has been
decided to take advantage of the
natural publication processes of the
river in conjunction with the partial
treatment that can be afforded by
such a plant.
Provision for Future.
Additions to the plant to provide
more complete treatment may be
necessary in the future. Complete
treatment is not deemed advisable al
this time in view of the many other
demands for money and the desirable
ity of keeping down the burden OF
taxes. The spending of money should
be confined to the present needs
Engineers are continually developing
the science of sewage treatment, not
only in the use of chemicals but also
along biological lines.
1T may reasonably be expected that
In time further study and expert
mentation may develop better pro-
cesses than are now available to the
sanitary engineers.
THE money now to be spent will
not be wasted in any event, as 1t will
be possible to enlarge the plant, in
troduce the activated sludge process
or provide chemical or other forms
of treatment without having to scrap
any of the facilities initially provided" "
Royalty Cost Avoided.
The District was confronted with
the possible necessity of paying heavy
royalties under original plans for the
Blue Plains project. BY using only
the primary method Of treatment this
cost is avoided, for the present at
least
Col. Sultan has been holding
numerous conferences with engineers
of the Public Works Administration,
but it was not revealed until yesterday
that such drastic revision of Secre-
tary Ickes plan for the plant was be-
ing suggested. Secretary Ickes had
signed contract obligatine the Dis
trict up to 100000 and it had been
signed in turn by the Commissioners
and sent back to him about two weeks
ago before he left Washington on a
Western trip.
Congress authorized tho District to
borrow up to $l0,750,0O0 in public
works funds. Out of this amount.
S1,500,000 recently was allotted for
the adult tuberculosis hospital, the
contract for which has not yet been
drawn
Without similar disposal plants in
:. nearby Maryland and Alexandria, it
was declared recently by Secretary