Evening star., 1952-09-15
Alexandra Denies
Charge Of Delay on
Sewage Disposal Plant

Mayor Marshall j. Beverley of
Alexandria today promised prompt
construction Of a sewage disposal
plant in his city and denied that
there had been any dragging OF
feet" in proceeding with the city's
antipollution program.
His statement was made in reply
to remarks Of Ross H. Walker,
member of the Virginia State Wa
ter Control Board. Mr.. Walker
told the annual Virginia Izaak
Walton League convention in Alex
andia Saturday that Alexandria
had done everything in its power
to delay action on the pollution
problem.
"That just isn't so," said Mr..
Beverley, who is at Old Point
Comfort, Va. attending a meeting
Of the League of Virginia Munich
palities.
Sees Construction Soon.
IT always have been in favor of
building a disposal plant. So is
the rest of the council. Well be
ready to start construction very
soon now"
The Alexandria Mayor said city
officials have bond attorneys pre-
pairing plans for financing a Sc
million plant. He said construc-
ton plans already are complete
and need only minor revision.
Mr.. Walker had recalled that
Alexandria was put under special
orders from the Water Board in
January, 1851, to build a disposal
plant by July, 1852.
Joined Regional Survey.
Since that order was issued,
Alexandria Joined in a regional
sewage disposal survey in North
ern Virginia. The Water Board
indicated it's approval of that sur
vey by agreeing to accept progress
reports.
1--WE wanted to know the best
way to meet this problem" said
Mayor Beverley. "We didn't want
to Jump into something that
would cost the taxpayers a lot Of
useless money. It is easy for the
State to tell us to go ahead and
spend millions but we want to be
sure to do it the right way"
The regional survey showed that
Alexandria and Fairfax could save
money by arranging joint use of
the proposed new Alexandria
plant. Alexandria and Fairfax
officials last week met to discuss
the joint plan. Mayor Beverley
said he had appointed Council
men Franklin P. Backus and Leroy
Bendheim to continue discussions
with Fairfax officials this week.
AS soon as Alexandria and Fair
fax agree what can be done about
the joint plans and as soon as
the bond attorneys complete their
preparations, Mr.. Beverley said
Alexandria would be ready to
start building the disposal plant.
I Appear Before Board.
On September % Alexandria
officials have instructions to ap-
pear before the Water Board.
We'll have plenty of progress
to show them," said Mayor Bever-
ley.
Mr.. Beverley said he would call
special meeting of the city coun-
Gil before September % to set up
an authority to administer the
proposed new sewage disposal
system. Under the authority plan,
the responsibility of financing,
constructing and. operating sew
age disposal facilities would be
in the hands of a five-member
council-appointed board.
/ The regional survey and an
|nexation proceeding between n
Alexandria and Fairfax were cited
! by Mr.. Beverley as the reasons
construction has not already
started. He added that construc-
ltion Of the Alexandria plant would
not solve the Potomac pollution
problem Immediately.
The regional survey showed that
Alexandria contributed less than
Il per cent of the total pollution
load in the Potomac. The Dis
ltrict and Maryland, which at
present provide only partial
treatment. contribute more than
us per cent of the pollution, ac-
coy ing to the survey.