Evening star., 1951-09-29
Sewage Disposal
Survey Passes
First Milestone
Engineers Get Data
On Nearby Virginia
Pollution Problem

Engineers studying sewage dis
posal problems of nearby Virginia
have reached their first milestone.
They have finished collecting
data for the first phase of their
survey and are in a position to
tell how much pollution the Po-
tomac River can take how much
sewage must be treated now, and
how much must be treated by the
year 1000.
A report of their findings is
being prepared for the interim
committee of Alexandria, Arling-
ton, Falls Church and Fairfax
which arranged for the survey.
Then they will embark on the sec
ond phase-the best and most eco
nomical way of treating sewage
in the area.
Sources of Pollution.
SO far, the study has been de-
voted to learning the needs Of
the area and where the principal
sources of pollution are.
For instance, figures show that
the District and Maryland now
contribute 752 per cent of the
total pollution of the Potomac
River.
In 1855 the District plans to
put into operation the first half
,of its new aeration facilities that
will result in a big decrease in
contamination of the river.
Another decrease is forecast for
1860, when the second half of the
Districts aeration plant is due to
go into operation. BY 1885. the
engineers figure all communities
in the metropolitan area should
be providing at least 80 per cent
treatment to maintain a desired
level of cleanliness.
Many Figures Studied.
Records of water flow and tenn
Iperature kept at the District treat
Iment plant enabled the engineers
Ito figure that the Potomac River
could carry off sewage for about
100000 residents without any
treatment.
The completeness of the Dis
Itrict records actually slowed the
surveyors work, they said, because
there were so many figures to
study.
The amount of pollution was
figured in terms of biological
Ioxygen demand, measure of
pollution expressed in pounds. 1t
means the quantity of pollution
material discharged into the river.
Today, the daily BOD is 1853, 900
pounds - about 10000 pounds
above the desired level of 120,0 900
pounds.
Of this total, they figure the
District and Maryland contribute
$4,000 pound; Arlington County.
$4,000 pounds; Alexandria, 1000
pounds; Fairfax County, 5000
pounds, and Falls Church, 1000
pounds.
Estimate on Population.
The surveyors estimate there
will be 2,695OO0 District area res
idents by the year 1000 as COM
pared with the current area pop
ulation of 1,451 ,423.
In addition to population in
creases. they allow for increases
in pollution because of an ex-
pected rise in the use of home
garbage disposal devices.
Whatever treatment the engi-
neers favor, the 80 per cent goal
shouldn't be too hard to achieve
| in view of present plans in
the area, the engineers believe.
The District is expected to provide
II per cent treatment for its sew
age by 1860; Arlington and Fair
fax are embarking on sewage
programs to provide 40 to so per
cent treatment, and Alexandria
plans to provide rs per cent treat
ment.
The engineers still hope the rest
of the survy can be accomplished
| in the six months allowed by the
State Water Control Board.
| Most of the work thus far has
been done by two engineers. M.
H. Klegerman, of Alexander Pot
ter Associates, and Thomas M.
Niles, of Greeley and Hansen.
The two firms were employed
| inintlv hY Alexandria. Arlington.