Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-03
Fairfax Builders
Fear Ruin After
Ban on Sewers
Refusal to Extend
Holmes Run Line
Arouses Protests
By Mary Lou Werner

oAAAoA SOu1ItJ CIdCkuOWn on
further extension of the Holne,
Run sewer may spell financial ruin
for some builders and stYnie future
development of one of the Nations
fastest growing counties.
This is the view taken by MANY
builders in the county, including
Walter c. Grain, who developed VIII
ton Woods. The county supervi-
sors' 30-day shutdown on further
extension of the Holmes Run sewer
is due to end January IS, but some
sources close to the court house be-
lleve the ban will be extended.
The ban was imposed by the
supervisors after an appearance be-
fore the State Water Control Board
to seek permission for connecting
Groveton sewage system with the
Holmes Run trunk sewer which
emptles into the Potomac River.
The water control board said it
could not consider the proposal un-
less provisions were made for a
treatment plant, and warned the
county officials they are subject t.
$500 fine each for permitting ad-
dltlonal sewage to be emptied into
the Potomac.
Permanent Ban Asked.
Until that visit to the Water Con-
troll Board, the county had per-
mitted private developers to add
new lateral sewer lines to the
Holmes Run trunk sewer. After the
boards warning. the 30-day ban wa
imposed. At the time the ban was
ordered, several supervisors asked
that 1t be permanent. The 3O-day
limit was decided on, however, tc
give the Water Control Board time
to notify the county officially of
the action it took at the recent
hearing on the Groveton request
If no word is received from the
Water Control Board before expira-
ton of the 30-day ban, the county
may choose to again ignore" regu-
latlons against emptying new sewage
into the Potomac River, or it may
extend the ban.
According to Mr.. Grain, some
builders face ruin unless the ban is
lifted. He said builders in the
midst of projects who would be
denied permission to tap on to the
Holmes Run sewer probably would
be cut off by banks and other lend
ing agencies, including the Federal
Housing Administration. He said
plans for any new development
would almost Immediately be
dropped because of the difficulty in
financing homes not served BY
sewers.
Action Is Scored.
Il think it would be unfair to
bottle up che county that way"
Mr.. Grain said IN fact, I would
like to see the county extend lateral
lines in areas where at present there
is no building
Mr.. Grain said this would stimu-
late building and increase lands
value
Virginia builders say nearby
Maryland counties have been de-
veloped earlier than Fairfax, largely
because of insufficient sewer lines
in Fairfax. The Virginia county in
the past year, however, has become
one of the fastest growing counties
in the country. But most of the
development has been near the
Holmes Run sewer where develop
ers were permitted to build extern
sions. Private developers have
added about 20 miles of sewer lines
in the area known as Sanitary Dis
trict No. l since the Holmes Run
sewer was built.
The only advantage that some
builders see in prohibiting further
extensions of the Holmes Ruin sewer
is that it would gain support for q
bond issue to finance construction
of ia disposal plant in the sanitary
district. Final plans are being
drafted for a proposed 100000
bond issue to finance purchase Of
the Holmes Run sewer from the
Federal Government, erection of q
treatment plant, and extension Of
sewer facilities.
Areas that have sewer service be-
fore the bond issue is voted on may
not be easily persuaded to support
the issue, whereas areas that need
sewer facilities could be expected to
give full support to it, some builders
believe.