Evening star., 1951-05-12
Board Decision
Signals Start Of
Sewage Survey
Water Agency Keeps
Fingers on AIexundric
Situation, However
By Mary Lou Werner
S&,r StofS farrasronrl~ra

Stor Stoff Correspondent
RICHMOND. Va, May a.
Engineers today prepared to be-
gin a survey of Alexandria. Ar
lington. Fairfax and Falls Church
sewage disposal problems. after
receiving qualified approval from
the Virginia State Water Control
Board.
In cautiously worded decision.
the water board last night said
1t had no objection to the proposed
survey and for the next six months
will accept information on the
surveys progress as monthly re-
ports from Alexandria.
The water board in January Or
dered Alexandria to provide sewage
treatment facilities by July J..
1852, and instructed the city to
report monthly on progress toward
meeting that deadline.
But in agreeing to accept re-
ports on the regional survey from
Alexandria, the water board did
not take the city completely OF
the hook. The decision warns:
"The board, at this time. is
unwilling to postpone the date Of
July /, when certain operating re-
suits are to be obtained by
Alexandria"
Satisfactory to Committee.
An interim committee Of the
four nearby Virginia communities
had asked the water board on
Thursday to modify Alexandria s
deadline so the city could partici-
pate ir the regional survey.
Notified of the decision last
night, interim committee members
agreed that it is satisfactory and
would permit Alexandria's partici-
patton
I'm fact, I'm very happy about
it." said Albert A. Smoot, Alexan-
dria city councilman and a mem
ber of the interim committee. ut
means the elimination of 2a
years of hard work"
Mr.. Smoot served on the North
ern Virginia Regional Planning
Commission, which 2l2 years ago
first proposed a sewage survey.
The idea failed at that time be-
cause Arlington was unwilling to
participate, but was revived by
Arlington County Board Member
Robert w. Cox last December.
All to Share Expense.
All four communities already
have agreed to put up their share
Of the surveys $4,000 cost. It is
due to take six months and is to
be conducted jointly by the engi-
neering firms of Greeley & Han
sen, and Alexander Potter Asso-
ciates. Representatives of the two
firms advised the water board they
would start work right away If the
proposal were approved.
Object of the survey is to de-
termine the best method OF sew
age disposal for the four COM
munities. Possibilities to be con-
sidered are several regional plants
to serve different water basins
in nearby Virginia. individual
plants for each community, or
piping Virginia sewage into the
District plant at Blue Plains for
treatment.
Arlington and Fairfax already
are going ahead with plans for
facilities that will provide primary
treatment but are participating in
the survey to find out what fu-
ture course they should follow
when a higher degree of treat
nent is required and when there
is more population to be served.
Statement by Board.
A partial text of the water
boards statement regarding the
survey follows:
1.-THE condition of the Potomac
River is such that no unnecessary
delay in effecting these improve
ments should be countenanced by
the board.
1.-THE County of Fairfax and the
County of Arlington are each pro-
ceeding on separate plans for con-
struction of sewage facilities.
1.-The results of the engineering
survey may indicate one of sew
eral alternative steps as being de-
sirable for the City of Alexandria.
1.-The board ruled:
"1. 1t had no objection to the
proposed survey.
"2. The board will accept. dur
ing the next six months, as month
" reports from Alexandria, that
the proposed survey is proceeding
satisfactorily and,
"3. The board. at this time. is
unwilling to postpone the date of
July /, 1852, when certain operat-
ing results are to be obtained. ~