Evening star., 1949-01-04
Hyattsvi||e Asks Alexandra Puts
Power TO Assess Daily Sewage at
Sidewalk Costs 5Mi||ion Gallons
EffIuent Dumped in
River Is Four Times
Amount From Fairfax

More than 100000 gallons of
untreated sewage is emptied into
the Potomac River each day by the
City of Alexandria.
This is about four times the
amount that Fairfax County con-
tributes to Potomac pollution. But
unlike Fairfax, Alexandria has
struck no legal snarls in adding to
its sewer lines.
The comparative ease with which
Alexandria has continued to add
to the amount of effluent it empties
into the Potomac while Fairfax
has run afoul of the State Water
Control Board is due in large
measure, city officials believe, to
the relatively small sewer extern
sions needed for new building in
a highly developed community like
Alexandria. In Fairfax, however,
new developments that require
sewer service have had to install
miles of new sewer lines.
Plans for Disposal Plant.
Alexandria also has compelte
plans for sewage disposal plant,
while the proposal for such a plant
irAl Fairfax still is in the planning
stage. Fairfax recently was warned
by the State Water Control Board
against permitting further extern
sion of the Holmes Run trunk
sewer that serves the county's San
itary District No. l. County officials
were told at that time they should
have plans ready for a sewage
treatment plant before seeking per-
mission to extend sewers.
Alexandria's sewage disposal prof.
ect was outlined to the City Council
early in 1947 Since that time the
estimated cost of the project has
jumped from about $3,5OO,000 to
S4,0O0,000, figure city officials be-
lieve is too expensive.
The engineering firm of Greeley
g. Hansen prepared the sewer plan
for Alexandria. At present, the
city discharges sewage into Four
Mile Run at Commonwealth ave-
nue. and the north city limits; into
the Potomac River through many
outlets along the water front; into
Hunting Greek at Royal street; into
Hoof1S Run west of Duke street, and
into Hooffs Run near its junction
with Hunting Greek. The waters |
from all of the creeks and runs
mentioned flow into the Potomac.
Trunk Sewer Proposed.
The engineers proposed that sew
age from the Four Mile Run area,
from the Hooffs Run area, and from
other areas west of Hooffs Run be
emptied into a large intercepting
trunk sewer running along Com
avenue. Present sew
ers running easterly to the Potomac
would empty into a second large
trunk sewer extending
along the water front from Second !
street to Hunting Greek.
Under the proposal the disposal
plant should be located on the north
bank of Hunting Greek west of
Payne street. Both of the inter-
cepting trunk sewers would flow to
the disposal plant.
Annual cost of operation of the
necessary pumping stations and
treatment works would be from
81, 900 to $4,000, 1t was estimated.
Bond Issue Urged.
The engineers proposed that the
project be financed by sewer revenue
bonds, with users of the facility
paying a monthly fee for sewer
service. But a sewer service charge |
in Alexandria, where citizens have
city-f1nanced sewer service
would be unpopular.
Many residents already have
asked why Alexandra should 60
ahead with such an expensive prof.
ect while other communities con-
tinue to pollute the Potomac. Others
feel the city should wait until other
nearby communities are ready toI
unite in financing one large treat
ment plant for the entire Northern
Virginia area.
AS result, Alexandria's sewer
plans have been filed away for
nearly two years. There are no
indications that the city plans to
put them to use any time soon.