Evening star., 1935-09-07
S1,715,010 SOUGHT
. AS APPROPRIATION
FOR WATER UNIT
Balance of $6O5, 600 Would
Be Left at End of Year,
Estimates State.
ADDITION OF 7 METER
READERS is REQUESTED
81, ,039,300 Proposed to Improve
and Extend System-Elevated
Tank Contemplated.

Appropriation of $1,715.010 for the
Water Department for the next fiscal
year, which still would leave balance
Of some $605 900 in estimated revenues
at the end of the year, is proposed in
the 1887 budget estimates released
today by Auditor Daniel j. Donovan.
Continuation of the rs per cent re-
duction in water rents, along with the
10000 cubic feet metered allowance
and cut in water main assessments.
adopted two years ago, was recon-
mended by department heads.
The Water Department is more
than self-supporting, being financed
out of sale of water and receipts from
water main assessments. Officials
calculate revenues next fiscal year will
ttoal s2,319,954.92 or $6O4, ,944.92 more
than the proposed appropriations.
More Readers Asked.
An increase of seven in the number
of water meter readers is asked to
provide quarterly instead Of annual
reading of domestic meters, so as to
detect excessive usage and reduce the
amount OF complaints over charges.
Funds also were requested to start
a new program to replace all defective
meters and for installation of meters
for service now unmetered. An ap-
propriation of $154,000 was asked, an
increase of $64 900. There now are
$3.50 defective meters and 1926
services yet to be metered.
The replacement program was be-
gun in 1881, but was halted by the
economy plan in 1884.
s275,000 for Laying Mains.
The department also sought an ap-
preparation Of $275,0O0 for laying of
service water mains under the assess
ment system This is an increase of
$50,00O over 1886, declared needed to
keep pace with private building de-
mandS.
officials proposed to spend 81 ,039, 300
for improvement and extension Of
the distribution system, $494,600 for
operation and repairs and $18l, ITO for
salaries.
Specific new projects listed included
water main from Thirteenth and Up
shur streets to Thirteenth and Otis
streets, to cost $375,000, to provide
duplicate feeder line for the Second
high service area, east OF the Bryant
Street Pumping Station.
Main for Power Plant.
Water main, Third and E streets
southwest to Fifth and M streets south
east, to cost $l18,8o0, which officials
explained would be needed to hold up
pressures in the southeast when neces-
sary for the Capitol Power Plant to
draw city water for air conditioning
purposes in case of interruption Of the
raw water supply from the Potomac.
Purchase and erection of 100000
gallon elevated water tank at Fort
Dupont Park, costing $4,000; for
storage of water to tide over any break
in the Anacostia Pumping Station.
For the Washington Aqueduct sup
ply system a t4tal of 100000 was
asked, as against S450000 for this
year. OF the increase, $4,000 would
be for repairs to Conduit road and
$40, 900 for rebuilding hitter StralnerS
in the Dalecarlia reservoir.
S52,82O Asked for Guards.
An appropriation of S52,820 was
requested for 1887 for the District
National Guard. An increase from
13 to l8 in the number of employees
was held necessary and funds were
sought for improvements to the
armory, the old National Hotel, and
completion Of facilities in rifle range
buildings erected under the work re-
lief program.
For the National Geological Park
total appropriation of s260,00O was
asked. This is an increase of $45,-
900 over the present year. Zoo Of
ficials said this would permit one
step promotions in salaries for 80
employees. who have had none since
1881; the addition of six new regu-
lar employees and some temporary
help. and an increase from $4,000 to
$4,000 in funds for purpose of ad-
ditional geological specimens.