Evening star., 1948-12-30
Suburban Health
Peril Rises With
Sewer Problem
State, Foirfox County
Must Toke Action
In Groveton Area
By james BirchfieId

By james BirchfieId
Tons OF raw sewage empty every
lay into the Potomac River through
ines built with Federal funds in
Fairfax County because wartime
shortages made earlier construction
'f treatment facilities impossible.
AS result, one of Washingtons
fast-growing suburban areas faces
The problem of maintaining its rate
If development and complying with
popular new stream pol
luton law.
The State Water Control Board
and Fairfax County authorities
have winked at violations until now.
but the matter Is coming to head
in the Groveton area, southwest Of
Health Peril Increases.
There, septic tanks in a fast
community are becoming a
health menace with overflow re-
ported seeping into schoolyards.
Groveton wants to do something
about it now, but can't. Residents
would like to connect with the
Holmes Run trunk line which the
Federal Works Agency built in 1914.
while the Government was building
the project, Fairfax County at
tempted to have treatment facil-
tiles included in the plans. but the
War Production Board turned
thumbs down on this suggestion
In 1916 the Virginia General AS
sembly needed demands that
streams be cleaned up and kept
clean. More teeth were put in
the States anti-pollution laws,
which created the present Water
Control Board. And this board
recently has warned cities and
counties that they may no longer
disregard their responsibilities by
failing to provide adequate treat
ment plants.
Consequently. the board looks
with disfavor on either Groveton
or other Fairfax County communi-
ties adding to the volume of ef.
fluent that already empties, un-
treated, into the Patomac River
about TOO feet offshore opposite
New Alexandria.
Warned of Violation.
In fact, the board fatty refused
request and warned the
Fairfax County Board of Super
visors that the State law is being
in allowing new connections
to the trunk.
A possible solution to the problem
does not provide an immediate rem
edy, either for Groveton or a 30
square-mile area extending along
the border of Arlington to Falls
Church and Merrifield. which COM
prises Sanitary District No. 1.
The remedy proposed is a $3,000,-
900 bond issue to acquire the trunk
sewer. which the Government has
agreed to sell for $500, 600: to con-
struct a treatment plant which can
be increased in capacity in the fu-
ture, and to make lateral trunk con-
nections with subdivisions which,
like Groveton. cannot tie in with
the system without State Water
Control Board approval.
The bond issue would have to be
approved by voters in Sanitary Dis
trict No. ! of Fairfax County. This
district extends on both sides Of
the trunk sewer. The trunk runs
from its outlet at New Alexandria,
up Holmes Run to the Alexandria
reservoir. At that point 1t divides
into two trunks, one continuing
up Holmes Run to the vicinity of
Merrifield and the other branch
running up Trips Run to Falls
Church.
20 Miles Of New Lines.
1t has been estimated that about
20 miles of new sewer lines have
been connected to the trunk since
its completion. The Water Control
Board cites the 1916 State law, pro-
the emptying of additional
sewage into state streams by in
dustries or municipalities.
While it was feared in some
quarters that the boards ruling
would halt future development in
the Fairfax area, county officials
were inclined to gloss over this
possibility. 1t was the opinion Of
most officials rather that the board
would go along with the county"
as soon as it has concrete evidence
Of steps to correct the situation.
County Sanitary Engineer James
J. Corbalis, jr., said bond specialists
are preparing the fiscal plan and
that petitions will be circulated cali
ing on the Circuit Court to order a
special referendum within the
district.
j. Hubbard Massey. consulting en-
sineer, now is preparing plans for q
disposal plant. Mr.. Corbans said the
plans were to have been finished last
February but demands of fast-grow-
ng communities have caused delays.
Doubt Issue Will Pass.
Doubt was expressed in some quar-
,ers, however. as to whether a bond
ssue would pass at this time.
Col. Waidron E. Leonard, president
of the Groveton Citizens Associa-
ion. said he believed many people
n the sanitary district were not
Interested in the plight of few
'esidenCs and would not vote to in
'rease their taxes for project they
night never use.
More than year ago the Inter-
tate Commission on the Potomac
River Basin suggested that sewage
night be treated more economically
n the Virginia area If one large
,lant were constructed to handle
wastes from the city of Alexandria
md Arlington and Fairfax Counties.
1t also was suggested that the
Virginia communities might in
estigate the possibility of pumping
ewage under the Potomac River to
he District plant at Blue Plains.
f this were possible, it would call
or enlargement of the District
liant, with the Virginia commune
les bearing a portion of the costs.
A similar arrangement already
as been worked out between the
district and the Washington SUBJ
rban Sanitary Commission in near
y Maryland. Sewage that now
mpties into the Anacostia River