Evening star., 1942-09-23
$4,000 Survey
To Save Water
Is Proposed
Senator McCurrun
Sees No Need Of
Raising Rates

All OuLldy OF S0U UUU TO make
water conservation survey to stop
leakage Of supplies has been pro-
posed by ofncials of the District
Water Department, 1t developed to-
Cay during consideration of the re-
port Of Chairman McCarran Of the
Senate District Committee on the
water problem.
In his report yesterday disclosing
that huge quantities Of water are
wasted and that huge proportions
of water supplies are given free to
the Federal and District Govern
ments and eleenosynary institu-
tions, Senator McCarran said there
was no need for increasing rates.
He added he would recommend no
increase for the next fiscal year in
view of findings based on studies by
Frederick H.. Weed of the Federal
Power Commission.
Water Department officials do not
believe that water leakage is as
high as the a, 7,000, 900 gallons a day
reported to Chairman McCarran.
They said that, according to the
departments annual report for the
last fiscal year, what department
omcialS call 'unaccounted-for
water" was 1872 600, 900 gallons
year-or 21,6O0,0O0 gallons a day
They said this amounted to 10 per
cent Of consumption.
The Commissioners now are con-
sidering the request of Water De-
partment executives for the $50, 900
water conservation survey. They
are expected to support it. OF the
total, $4,000 would be for personnel,
5000 for supplies and materials
and $4,000 for equipment.
Savings Made in Past.
Maj. John Blake Gordon, director
Of sanitary engineering, recalled
similar surveys In the past have re-
suited in great savings Of water
He added: "The water system now
Is taxed to capacity and economy of
usage must be accomplished to avoid
q water shortage pending enlarge
ment of plant"
Maj. Gordon told the Commis-
eioners that similar work performed
between 1905 and 1921 resulted in
the detection and stoppage Of more
than 40 OO0, 900 gallons daily Of water
losses. A three-year survey, from
1881 to 1884, he said. stopped the
wasting Of about 14,000,o 900 gallons
q day.
work Of this character should be
prosecuted vigorously, in view OF the
present difficulties of materials for
plant extension and to make the
wasted water available for legiti-t
mate use as quickly as possible to
meet the increasing demands"
In addition to savings by stop
ping leaks in underground pipings
and services, it is estimated by
Humphrey Beckett, Water Depart
ment superintendent, and Norman
Robertson, who supervises water ac-
counts, that 100000 gallons daily
also might be saved by curtailment
of what is termed "non-essential
use" This means sprinkling of
lawns and the use Of non-recircu-
lating equipment for air-condition-
ing and display fountains.
Free Water Tabulated.
Mr.. Beckett and Mr.. Robertson
cited figures from the department S
annual report for the last fiscal year
to show District residents and COM
mercial establishments paid for the
use Of 23.2s1 900 900 gallons, or 63.-
100000 gallons day. They said free
water piped to Federal properties
last year totaled 6,155 900, 900, free
water to District government insti-
tutions, 1850, ,0O0, 900. and free water
to eleemosynary institutions, 273,.
100000 gallons.
The Water Departments way o1
finding leaking mains appears to bt
a matter Of fishing" with "flov
meter" which was invented by Pau
Lanham, maintenance engineer o.
the Water Department. This gad-
get, consisting of tubes containing 6
liquid and bearing gradation marks
is inserted in water pipes leading
down to the underground mains.
measures the velocity and volume o
water passing through the main
When a test is made of section
checks are made at all intersection
and by this process block Is iso
lated when it shows a lowered vol
ume. Then by listening devices tn
point OF leakage is localized.
Mr.. Beckett said the eventua
amount of annual water saving b.
repairing leakage would depend Of
tests, but that he felt sure the say
ing would amount to 100000 gal
Ions a day after the program ha
been in effect for year.
Would Check Free Water.
Senator McCarran said one OF tn
questions remaining for furthe
i study is whether the District shoul
continue to furnish all of the watt
required by the Federal establish
ment free OF charge.
The Senator said that even If
be assumed for the sake OF argu
ment that the Federal agencie
should be supplied free. the waite
so furnished should be ''meticu
lousy checked" in the interest c
conserving the supply.
In his preliminary report as CON
n1ittee investigator yesterday, M
Weed found that of the 125
100000 gallons filtered daily, onl
$1,000 900 gallons is revenue pre-
ducing. OF the remaining 60,000,0C
gallons. he reported, 100000
leakage throughout the system.
One of the recommendations
the preliminary report was that tt
water works, now divided betwee
the Army Engineer Corps and tt
District Water Department.
placed under unified control. Sens
tor McCarran said he would sponst
legislation to carry out that recon
mendation, after the investigate
is over.
Senator McCarran's conclusie
that no increase in rates to priva
consumers is necessary at this tin
was based on the statement OF M
Weed that, with comparative
minor alterations, the present flltri
ton plants could purify 10000, ,0