Evening star., 1953-04-17
Sewer Usage
Charge Set in
Suburban Area
$4,000 MoryIonders
To Pay on Bosis of
Water Consumed

A new sewer usage charge
based on a rate of IA cents per
1000 gallons of water used has
been imposed on some $4,000
suburban Maryland residents,
the Washington Suburban Sani-
tary' Commission announced last
night.
The new sewer usage charge
will be in addition to the present
water fee of q cents per 1000
gallons used.
Some 10000 Montg omery
County home owners also were
informed in the announcement
that trash collection rates they
pay the commission have been
increased 60 cents a month to
a new $2.25 rate, effective Sep
tember /.
The sewer usage charge is
retroactive to March /, the COM
mission said.
The charges were agreed upon
yesterday afternoon as the COM
mission met in a closed session.
Earlier, commission officials had
refused to deny or confirm re-
ports the new rates had been
prepared.
Urged by COnSultantS.
According to a lengthy press
release, the new rates were rec
commended by the commissions
financial consultants to put the
sanitary body's financial struc-
ture "on a sound economic
basis"
When The Star disclosed last
January that the commission
would establish a new sewer US
age charge, commission spokes-
man said the charge was aimed
at relieving the burden of sewer
charges on some 5000 water
users who have no sewer service.
Such was not the case, how
ever, according to the commits
sion's announcement last night.
There will be no cut in the water
consumption rate.
The new sewer charge is based
on belief that not all water
which goes into the home leaves
through the sewers.
Summer Uses Cited.
Many residents, however, have
pointed out that they will be
charged for thousands of gallons
of water used in summer months
for watering gardens.
The failure to reduce the water
usuage rate was attributed to
the need of expanding the water
supply system, the commission
said. These facilities include
the new $6 million Rocky Gorge
reservoir, additional filtration
facilities at the Patuxent plant
and extension of the transmission
system.
The commission said the rate
increases would end the practice
of paying for operating costs
with borrowed funds. The COM
missions financial setup was
strongly criticized earlier this
year by it's consultants.
The sewer charge will be listed
as separate item on the semi
annual water bills. 1t will
amount to more than a so per
cent increase in the bill.
Boost Other Charges.
The commissions charge for
refuse disposal at commission
operated incinerators also will
be increased May / from So to
81 a ton.
The commission has contend
ed it has been operating its
trash collection and refuse dis
posal programs in the red for
some time. Terms of recent
bond sales have stipulated the
programs must be Self-sustain.
ing, the commission said.
Also to be increased are front
foot benefit charges for home
owners who received new sewer
and water lines during 1852.
The basic subdivision rate has
been jumped from 20 and %
cents to Is cents.
The commission now levies
such charges on rates varying
from IA cents to 80 cents a
front foot. The high - which
was for commercial properties
has been increased for 1852 con-
Struction from 20 to 80 cents a
front foot.
The commission recently an
nounced that its 10 cent ad
valorem tax rate will be main.
tanned this year despite an
assessable base that is expected
to soar from $611 million to 1927
million.
Reporters Barred.
Reporters who showed up for
yesterdays meeting were told
by Commissioner L. S. (Ted)
Ray; Republican leader, the
meetings were never open"
In answer to a reporters ques-
tions Mr.. Ray replied:
Il don't have to tell you any
thing. We have a lot of busi-
ness to transact-a lot of little
thin0s that wouldn't interest
you"
Reminded that the commits.
sion was supported by public
funds failed to sway Mr.. Rays
barring of the press.
l.