Evening star., 1935-09-30
POTOMAC URGED
ASLABORATORY| IN
POLLUTION TESTS
5000, 900 Program Fa-
vored in Report of Ma
tionaI Resources Board.
ATTACK ON PROBLEM
IN BASIN IS OUTLINED
Domestic Sewage Disposal Plants
Would Cost Six Million,
Is Estimate.

4S LSLluldLCs
A s15,000,000 program to make the
Potomac River drainage basin ma
tional laboratory and demonstration
unit for proposed Nationwide attack
on the problems of water pollution
was recommended today in special
report to the National Resources
Board.
Tentative estimates have been drawn
up for carrying out complete pro-
gram of abatement within the $4,000
square miles of the Potomac basin,
including $1,000,000 for sewage treat
ment in the Washington Suburban
Sanitary District.
At least s6,600,000 Of the total ex-
penditure was proposed for the con-
strucion of domestic sewage disposal
plants throughout the drainage basin
and s3,050,000 for industrial waste
treatment. Other items include ST.
100000 for building conservancy
dams: $4,000 for protection against
acid waste in coal mines; sl.200,0oO
for administration and engineering
and 100000 for special investigation.
For the control of pollution in the
upper Potomac basin the Special Com
mittee suggested that projects in
volving S4,500,000 could be put into
effect within three months If ap-
proval is given the plan. Proposed
sewage treatment in the Washington
Suburban Sanitary District and a
dam ON the Savage River would be
included in this initial program.
No Expenditure Here.
Since a S4,000,000 sewage disposal
plant is now being constructed in the
District under a p w. A. loan. no
immediate expenditure is contem-
plated in Washington. 1t was sug-
gested, however, in the report that
the partial treatment afforded by the
Washington plant would necessitate in
the future the expenditure Of another
100000.
The Potomac River basin was sin
gled out to be the pilot" plan be-
cause 1t is sufficiently close to Wash
ington for careful and continued
scrutiny. River conditions have been
studied here by Federal, State, local
and industrial agencies for more than
20 years, the report pointed out, and
the four States concerned have had
voluntary interstate agreements for
number Of years.
For the administrative control Of
the basin, the special committee ap-
pointed by Secretary Ickes, chairman
of the National Resources Board, pro-
posed the creation of board Of five
msmbers. Four of them would be
appointed by the Governors of West
Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and
Virginia. These are the States en-
braced within the area of the Potomac
basin. A fifth member, representing
the Government, would be selected by
the National Resources Board.
Six-P0int Program.
This proposal for q Potomac River
conservancy district was the main
feature Of a six-point program for the
entire country. It was based on a
survey made by a special advisory
committee appointed by Secretary
Ickes year ago to draw up pro-
gram designed to bring domestic and
industrial waste pollution under con-
troll.
The total estimated population in
the water shed as of August /, 1882,
was 1921 ,694, half urban and half
rural. About As per cent was with
in the District of Columbia; Is per
cent in Maryland and the remainder
in the two Virginias and Pennsylvania.
Population in Area.
The total estimated population dis
charging untreated sewage into the
water courses within the Washington
metropolitan area alone Is 1900.
The population on the Potomac River
drainage area above the District Of
Columbia was estimated in 1888 to be
125,0O0.
The proposed administrative board
would have nearly complete control
over all problems in the $4,000 square
miles of the area. For the purpose
Of direct contact with the National
Resources Board, however, the special
advisory committee was proposed.
The administrative board would be
to negotiate contracts with
municipalities, counties, States and
private industries for the abatement
adm correction of stream pollution. 1t
would also be empowered to develop
financing programs.
Approximately one-thlrd of the ex-
penditures for domestic and industrial
waste treatment, it was estimated,
might ultimately be reimbursed by To-
cal governments.
Part of the expenditures would be
used for the development of stream
regulating program on the Upper Po-
tomac River, the report stated. and
perhaps ultimately at other points.
Sewage treatment will be neces-
sary at a number of Government res
ervations and trade waste treatment
at once" it was recommended.
The regulating program for the Up
per Potomac could be undertaken in
two or three months after the estab-
lshment of the conservancy district.
preliminary plans for this under
taking have already been completed by
competent engineers and many Of the
surveys are available for immediate
use," it was said. 1.-THE Maryland Leg
islative Assembly has created public
body in this area with powers of taxa
ton and condemnation with which the
district could negotiate
prompt undertakings"
Domestic Problems.
The Potomac drainage basin, the re-
port points out, contains number Of
domestic sewage treatment problems
which, although relatively small in
size, have the same characteristics as
larger undertakings elsewhere.
Industrial wastes in the region are
Of considerable volume and cover
pra rfica11v all of the tyDes which Y,0vxy