Evening star., 1940-08-22
DC. Wafer Rate
Boost Forecast
In New Budget
Both Aqueduet and
Distribution Branches
Ask Big Increases

Washingtonians face an increase
in water rates to cope with . 143 per
cent budget increase for the Wash
ington Aqueduct and a Is per cent
increase for the District Water De-
partment in the 1912 budget esti-
mates submitted yesterday to the
Commissioners.
The aqueduct, which controls the
water supply, Is under the jurisdic-
ton of the War Department and
the local Water Department handles
distribution Of the water. The two
branches asked q total of $3,924, $50,
all of which would be met by the
water rents.
According to Water Supt. D. M.
Holton, 1T is evident from the above
figures that the proposed expendi-
lures of the distribution branch
and the supply branch must each
be substantially reduced or the
revenue increased, or probably
both."
Suggested rate schedules to pro-
vide whatever budget the Commis-
sioners approve will be submitted
under separate estimates to the
city heads for adoption, 1t was
stated.
Aqueduct Total Is $1,4Ss,56o.
The aqueduct estimates total ST.
468 ,560-an increase of $685., ,210 over
current appropriations. High lights
of the requests include $65,000 to
put q protective fence around all
vital sections of the water intake
and supply system at Great Falls,
Dalecarlia Reservoir and filter plant,
Mcmillan filter plant and several
isolated works to guard against
sabotage. Already during the pres
ent year, it was stated, acts Of
vandalism approaching sabotage
have occurred. What these acts
were was not stated.
According to the War Department.
sabotage of one or more Of the
vital entities Of the water supply
system would result In the loss of
supply to q large section or possibly
the entire city,,
Should foreign relations become
strained, it was stated, the danger
from sabotage will become more
acute and extra precautions will
have to be taken.
In normal times, 1t was added,
the fence Enclosures will lessen
policing difficulties.
A new $490, 900 storage reservoir,
with . capacity Of 20, ,00o, 900 gallons,
would be constructed on land owned
by the United States adjacent to
the Mcmillan Reservoir.
Needs Are Near Capacity.
With Washington's increased pop
ulation, and hot weather pushing
the water filter supply nearly to
capacity, funds are asked to turn
the hydroelectric plant at Dale
carlia into . raw water pump to
bring water into the Dalecarlia
Reservoir from the Chesapeake &
Ohio Canal Another $4,000 Is
asked to continue q survey being
made of what is needed to give
the District an adequate water
supply at present and in the future.
Other repairs are contemplated
throughout the supply system. in
cluding replacement Of filters at
Dalecarlia and Mcmillan. Shop
and storehouse facilities costing
$84 1000 would be constructed at both
Dalecarlia and Mcmillan. Twelve
new positions are asked.
The District Water Department
requested $2,456, 100, an increase Of
$502;835 over present appropriations.
The increase would add pumping
equipment at the Anacostia and
Reno pumping stations and repairs
to the Bryant street pumping sta
ton.
New Mains Planned.
New 24-inch water mains would be
laid from Twenty-fifth street and
Good Hope road Sc. to Alabama
and Massachusetts, avenues Sc. and
36-inch mains from Thirteenth and
Upshur streets NV. to Thirteenth
ard Otis streets NE.
Throughout the justifications Of
the aqueduct estimates runs the
theme Of the need for insuring ade-
quate water supply here. When the
Dalecarlia plant was completed In
1928, it was thought its daily 1885,
0o0, ,000- gallon capacity would carry
the District up to 1850. but last
July the demand for seven days
was over 10000 900 gallons . day,
and on one day exceeded 150y0O0,0 ,0OO.