Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-12-15

have been completed on the engi-
neering level, and construction
plans for intercepter lines are
ready for contract.
This arrangement will end the
pollution of the Anacostia River.
one Of the sore spots in the Metro
politan Area, and will relieve con-
'ditions resulting from the flow Of
Maryland sewage into the Potomac
above Chain Bridge.
Maryland May Be Guide.
Maryland's long experience Of
cooperation with the District,
under which its entire pollution
problems will be solved in a few
years, may serve as a guide for
Virginia officials. now faced with
the problems of waste disposal.
The Maryland commission OPP
crates across county lines, serv-
ing areas in both Montgomery
and Prince Georges Counties. This
has never been a problem in the
administration Of the commits
sion.
The experiences in Maryland,
according to observers, indicate
that a similar authority might
be operated in Virginia with no
trouble arising from county or
municipal lines. The fact that
Maryland has found it economical
to pump its sewage into the Dis
tHct plant may also serve as a
guide to Virginia officials now con-
sidering such a plan for nearby
Virginia communities.
Skips Being Taken.
According to Harry Shaw, de-
putty chief engineer of the Subur-
ban Sanitary Commission, these
steps are being taken by the COM
mission:
An intercepter line will be con-
structed from the Maryland treat.
ment plant on the Anacostia to the
District system. This will bring all
sewage from the lower portion Of
the suburban area down the Ana
costa and into the District system.
A second intercepter line will
come from Brookmont to Cabin
John, where it will join a Dis
trict pipe line to bring the sewage
down along the Potomac to the
District plant. This will make
the river above Key Bridge more
suitable for recreational use.
Plans have been completed for
a dam at Little Falls to assure
an adequate supply of water for
Washington. 1t is expected that
the dam will be built within two
years. No pollution will be al
lowed in the river near the water
line intake.
The commission also is taking
steps to clean the pollution out
OF Paint Branch and Indian Creek,
which form the headwaters Of
the Northeast Branch of the Ana
costa River.
Stable Solution.
The Northwest Branch is clean
except at q pumping station at
Brentwood, which sometimes
f1ushes some sewage into the
stream. Steps are being taken
to correct this.
According to engineers, the
Suburban Sanitary Commissions
arrangement with the District is
stable" solution of the Mary
land pollution problem.
When the commissions treat
ment plant was built on the Ana
costa, it was the opinion of the
best consulting engineers that it
was the logical solution.
The unusual suburban growth
was not contemplated, however,
and it was realized too late that
the Anacostia does not have the
flow to handle properly the wastes
now entering it at the plant. Even
with complete treatment at this
point. it was found. the Anacostia
would remain in the nuisance
class.
Law Passed in 1917.
AS long ago as 1917, the year
before the commission was estab-
lished. Congress passed a law per-
the District to handle sew
age from nearby Maryland as a
means of preventing pollution in
Metropolitan Area streams.
Thus. for more than 80 years,
the District has handled some
Maryland wastes, and with the
new agreement, will relieve the
commission of all treatment prob
lens.
Mr.. Shaw says the Maryland
commission and the District have
a long record of good cooperation.
And the results will become more
apparent in the future to both
and Washingtonians
who use either the Potomac or
Anacostia Rivers for business or
pleasure.