Evening star., 1952-12-21
Sanitation Body
For Alexandria
Now Up TO State
Council Approves
PIon for Authority to
Build Sewage Plant

Build Sewage Plant
! Creation of an Alexandria sani-
tation authority to construct and
i operate the city's first sewage dis
posal system now is up to the Vir-
ginia State Corporation Commits
sion.
The City Council gave its final
approval to the plan yesterday
after public hearing at which
only one objector appeared.
A resolution was adopted by
unanimous vote requesting the
sec to grant certificate of in
corporation or charter for an
Alexandria Sanitation Authority.
The resolution states that sub
Stantial opposition" failed to ma
terialize at the hearing, and also
that 10 per cent of the city's
qualified voters did not file a petit
ton calling for referendum on
creation of the authority.
NdtCS W Dc EXdINlHe0.
If there had been substantial
opposition, or If 10 per cent of the
voters had petitioned for a refer
endum, the plan would have had
to 60 before the electorate, city
officials said.
Alexandria is the first city to
petition the sec for creation of
such an authority since enabling
legislation was passed by the 1850
General Assembly. City Attorney
v. Floyd Williams said the sec
now will determine if the proposed
rates are fair. and then act on the
charter of Incorporation. He said
he did not know how long this
would take.
Once created, the authority
would function much like any pub
lie utility and come under control
of the sec.
Three possible disposal systems
with varying rates are set forth
in an ordinance previously adopted
by the City Council announcing its
intention to establish an author
ity. The three alternatives were
provided to make it possible for
Alexandria and Fairfax County to
arrange joint use of the new facil-
tiles. Alexandria officials said
Fairfax County soon would have
to determine whether to make
such an arrangement. Engineers
estimate both Jurisdictions would
save millions of dollars by getting
together. S
Points to S12 Million debt.
The sole objector at Yesterdays
hearing was Joseph r. Boland. Of
529 North West street, Alexandria.
Mr.. Boland said the city alreadA.
was $12 million in debt and ~
opposed the issuance of any more
bonds for a sewage disposal plant.
,"I don't argue that the river
isn't polluted. but we just don't
have money to take care of it,"
said Mr.. Boland.
Mayor Marshall j. Beverley told
him bonds issued by the authority
for construction by the sewage
DISPOSAL system would be revenue
type bonds TO be paid off by service
fees. He said the revenue bonds
would not add to the general
obligation Indebtedness of the city.
"This is a must project for the
health and welfare of the COM
munity." said Mayor Beverley.
"Also, we've been ordered to do
something by the Virginia State
Water Control Board"
The proposed rates would be
from 80 per cent to rs per cent
of current water bills, depending
on which of the three alternative
systems is constructed. The lowest
rate would be made possibly by
the most extensive combination
system with Fairfax County.
Calls Water Rates too High.
Councilman Leroy Bendheim
said he had been concerned about
the proposed rates.
II have felt for a long time that
water rates here are too high" said
Mr.. Bendheim. 1T might be that
latter proper study the city might
consider the possibility of con-
demning the water company. and
operating a municipal water sys-
tenn
Alexandria's water supply is
provided by the Alexandria Water
leo.
! John w. Brookfield of the Izaak
Walton League told the council
his organization had been critical
of the city in the past for not hav-
ing a disposal system, but now felt
the council was doing good job
by setting up the authority.
Cost of the three alternate prof.
ects are 81 million for system to
accommodate only Alexandria: So
million for system to accommo-
date some sewage from Fairfax
County. and $9.2 million for sys-
tenn to take care of a larger
amount of sewage from Fairfax
County. All three projects con-
template a sewage disposal plant
west Of Payne street at Hunting
Creek. The plant would provide
intermediate treatment. which Is
Ia higher degree of treatment than
most other disposal systems in the
metropolitan area now provide.
The City Council has selected
the following five men as members
of the authority: Linwood E. Reed.
Albert A. Smoot. L. H. Dudley.
Chester G. Pierce and William r.
Wilkins.
Information Please