Evening star., 1951-10-05
Water Officials
ProposeBudget
OF STAB Million
Anticipate Major
Year in Long-Term
Expansion Plan

Anticipating the major year in
their long-term expansion pro-
gram. District water officials are
proposing a S14,356, 900 budget for
the year beginning next July /.
The estimates made public to-
day are more than So million
higher than this years appro-
priation and include $8.3 million
in funds to be borrowed from the
Federal Government.
This would bring to S14,830.000
the amount of the loans during
the first three years of the S23
million borrowing program au-
thorized by Congress over a 10
year period for the water system
Expansion.
officials estimate that imitation
will drive up by 25 per cent the
Icost of the 30-year expansion pro-
gram, budgeted early in 1850 at
SGT million.
In the case of the new pumping
station at Dalecarlia, the original
Iestimate of $4.313,000 based on
1949 cost data, has been revised
to $5.613,000, an increase of Sl.3
million.
The Washington Aqueduct seeks
S3,013,000 in fiscal 1853 to COM
plete this project.
New Pumping Station Sought.
The aqueduct also asks s2.490.-
900 for beginning a Little Falls
pumping station, dam and tunnel
ito furnish an additional assured
and permanent water supply for
the years ahead. Total original
estimate Of the cost is S6,988 900.
Water officials say the new dam
lis imperative, since there now is
IA dependable net raw water sup
ply of 2l6 million gallons a day,
while consumption peaks reach
from 220 to 241 million gallons a
day.
An emergency arrangement in
summer takes water from the C. &
%. Canal.
Proposed is a low solid concrete
dam across the Potomac River at
the present Little Falls feeder
dam serving the canal. A new
pumping station with an ultimate
capacity of 425 million gallons a
day would be built on the left
bank of the Potomac, with ris-
ing tunnel to Dalecarlia Reservoir.
This is expected to guarantee
an independent, safe and ade-
Iquate new water supply for the
city. The dam. according TO
water officials, will not raise the
level of the waters at any point.
Two Other Projects Outlined.
| Two other new projects of capt.
tai outlay are proposed in the
IAqueduct estimates: The first
half of a 40-million- gallon ca
paclty Reno Reservoir, at a cost
jof $1,563, 900, and construction OF
new raw water intakes and con-
duits at the Dalecarlia Reservoir.
at cost of S638,000
The Aqueduct also asks $685.
600 more for the -million-gal-
Ion clear water basin at Dale
carlia. which originally was
budgeted at $2.6 million. The
work is now in progress. but the
estimate had to be revised be-
cause of increased costs of labor
and material.
An additional sum of S298 900
lis requested for continued mod
Iernization. improvement and re-
Mobilization of existing facilities
Iof the Aqueduct and for advance
planning of projects.
The amount of the Federal loan
needed has been increased by addi-
tion to the operating expenses Of
the Aqueduct of $235,644, the esti-
mated cost of the proposed f1uori-
Idatlon program this year and next.
Congress has appropriated $780,
900 for the tooth decay prevention
measure this fiscal year, charge
able to the water fund, and the
Estimated cost next fiscal year is
.$105,644.
More Guards Urged.
Operating estimates for the
Aqueduct. totaling $2.014,O00, also
include an increase of $2O,O48 for
better guard service to protect the
water system. Eight additional
guards are sought to add to the
present force of 10.
Most serious regulation infringe
ment. it was reported, is violation
of the six-ton load limitation on
Macarthur boulevard. This is be-
cause the old conduit lies only
three feet or less under the sur
face.
The District Water Division.
which distributes the water pro-
duced by the Aqueduct, requests
81, ,325,000 for new construction.
This includes $573,O00 for serv-
ice watermains, an increase over
this year of 10 per cent to keep up
with the rate of building con-
struction and to absorb part of the
effect of imitation on costs.
Trunk mains will cost an esti-
mated $547,OO0, and hydrants,
5000. The division also asks
S150,000 for continuing work on
the Anacostia Pumping Station.
Station Is Overtaxed.
The division explained that the
area east of the Anacostia River
is estimated to include 10000
people whose water, service comes
through this pumping station. The
sections fed by the station are
continuing to expand and the
capacity already is insufficient for
peak demands. it was said.
Operating expenses of the divi-
sion for fiscal 1858 are estimated