Evening star., 1950-12-13

Engineers believe that if ar
rangements cannot be made for
This is the Fourth Of Series Of Articles
About the Problem Of Pollution in the
Washington Area.
the District to handle Virginia
wastes, at least two plants would
be necessary on the Virginia side
of the Potomac.
1t had been indicated in the
past that one plant, to be oper-
ated by a single authority, might
serve Arlington and Fairfax
Counties and Alexandria. A par
tial engineering report, however,
indicated that this would not be
practicable.
No Savings Claimed.
r. M. Writ. Arlington County
director of public services, said a
study was made several years ago
by consulting engineers for both
Arlington and Alexandria to de-
termine whether portions of Alex
andria's sewage might be pumped
into the Arlington plant on Four
Mile Run. This study disclosed,
Mr.. Writ said, that there would
be no savings to either community
by such an arrangement.
1t is the consensus of engineers
that at least two Virginia treat
ment plants would be necessary at
this time. Arlington County thus
would continue with its plans for
plant enlargement, and one plant
could be constructed to serve the
needs of both Alexandria and Fair
fax County.
According to present plans, Alex
andria would construct its plant
on Hunting Creek at the end of
Payne street, while the Fairfax
County plant is to be constructed
on Fort Hunt road, about three
quarters of a mile, airline. from
the Alexandria plant.
Single Plant Would Save.
There seems to be little doubt
that a single plant could handle
sewage from both these commu-
mites at considerably less cost
than would be required if two
plants are constructed so near
each other.
This arrangement also would
solve the problem faced by Fairfax
County over objections to the pro-
posed location of the county plant.
Petitions objecting to locating the
plant in this area have been given
the Board of Supervisors by the
New Alexandria Citizens Associa-
ton and by the Fairfax County
Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions.
Citizens of New Alexandria have
pointed out that their area is a
rapidly growing residential dis
trict. and that a sewage treat
ment plant located near homes
and apartment houses would be
Objectionable.
mo One Wants It."
Even though engineers have
pointed out that there are no
odors about a modern treatment
plant, residents are still protest.
ing.
mo one" they say, wants a
sewage plant in his back yard"
The Alexandria plant location
is downstream in filled area
used as a city dump. Alexandria
City Engineer c. l.. Watkins said
the city began filling in the area
several years ago, and there now
is adequate space for the cIty's
proposed plant.
Under a two-plant plan, an
authority might operate one or
both plants. Whether both plants
would be placed under an authori-
ty would depend largely on Ar
lington County.
At present Arlington engineer
ing officials feel that little could
be gained by turning its plant over
to an authority. Mr.. Writ says
that Arlington is Is years ahead
of other communities in handling
the pollution problem, and that
the proposed additions to the pres
ent plant will allow the county to
provide the same treatment to all
sewage that now is provided in
the District plant. r.
In favor of the authority, how
ever. is the argument that future
expansion to enable the county to
provide complete treatment to Its
wastes thus be taken out of the
county's hands.
Since an authority would have
the powers to provide its own
financing, no further county bond
issues would be necessary for sew
age plant expansion,