Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-08-21
.D.C.FACES22PCT.
WATER RATE HIKE
!. FOR NEEDED WORK
Board Of Survey Reports
$28, 0OO,O 900 Necessary
for 15-Year Plan.
NEW CONDUIT, PLANT
AND MAINS ARE LISTED
Years Study Also Reveals Several
Reservoirs and Other
Extensions Wanted.
By DON 8. WARREN

unless some other method Of financ.
ing is found. District water rates will
have to be boosted approximately %
per cent to provide funds for needed
major Improvements to the water sys-
tenn. projected over a l5-year period,
at cost of about $4,000, 900.
This is among major findings made
by the special Board OF Survey of
the District water system, as the result
OF year OF intensive study Of all
phases OF both the supply and distri-
outlon systems. now awaiting action
by the District Commissioners. the
Budget Bureau and Congress, it was
learned by The Star last night.
An immense amount of data wassde.
veloped in the survey as to the histor.
value. revenues. costs and prospective
future demands of the system The
study presents for the first time an
appraisal Of the system on a public
utility basis. 1t was made for the
Commissioners at the direction of
Congress.
Improvements Listed.
Members of the Board OF Survey
were Riley E. Elgen. chairman of the
Public Utilities Commission, who
headed the group; 1t. Col. Raymond
A. Wheeler. United States Corps Of
Engineers. and Capt Don G. Shingler,
Assistant Engineer Commissioner of
the District They had the assistance
OF staff employed under a $4,000
appropriation, in addition to aid from
q variety of Federal and District
ofncials.
Among major improvements listed
for the supply system to meet future
water consumption demands were q
new conduit from Great Falls. a new
filter plant at Dalecarlia. new pump
ing station at Dalecarlia and trans
mission mains. which, with engineer
ing and other costs would run the
total to $l3,737,0 900.
Several new reservoirs. huge water
mains and q long list of other ma or
extensions Of the distribution system,
needed by the year 1858, would cost
sl4,879, 900, it was estimated These
items would be in addition to nor
mally increasing costs Of the distribu-
ton system for maintenance and op-
Grafton and ordinary requirements and
betterments of existing properties.
70 Per Cent Used Free.
Data collected by the board indi-
Gates that nearly 20 per cent of the
total water supply is consumed free
of charge, by governmental agencies,
charitable agencies and other nom
revenue accounts. The United States
is the biggest free" user of water.
taking nearly 10 per cent of the total
water consumption, without charge.
The District government uses more
than per cent of the total
The board presented figures to show
that the total water consumption ac-
counted in the fiscal year 1897
amounted to 3,649. 96l 900 cubic feet.
OF this total. 1t found. 2.6l8,255 900
cubic feet were paid for by subscribers.
and that 1,03l, 100000 were given as
free service. OF the free service, the
Federal Government got $50, $50 900
cubic feet and the District govern
ment 239 $685. 900 cubic feet
The board found that the United
States has contributed roughly "a per
cent of the sums invested in the water
system-since its operation started
back in 1859; that the District gov
eminent had paid in more than 30
per cent, in appropriations out of its
general tax revenues. and that paying
customers had contributed more than
A per cent, in charges.
Sources of Funds
The following summary was given
on sources Of funds for DEVELOPMENT
of the water system. up to June 80,
1887. showing an historical" cost
totaling s37,929, 96SO3:
Total property costs
for both supply and
Sources. distribution systems
United States -- $9.400.5 $50 80
District 600 per cent? 5,618,337.35
District, including por-
ton of Federal lump
sum -- 1927, 500 .o6
Water Fund ---- 1921 .66l "a
Arlington County ----- $4,000
Total $37, 929, 1868 O3
The board found that the "histori-
CAL cost Of the two branches of the
Water Department for properties used
(see WATER, Page A-5)