Evening star., 1953-02-18
Big Saving Seen
In Joint Use Of
Sewage System
Foirfox Studying
Legal Details for
Alexandra Pact
By Mary Lou Werner

lIOulIlS OUT legdI QeCdllS OF using
new Alexandria sewage facilities
after engineers advised that the
two communities can save at
least $2.4 million by getting
together.
Fairfax officials last night at
tended the organization meeting
of the Alexandria Sanitation Au-
thority. at which engineers rec
commended joint system.
The Alexandria Authority was
created to construct and operate
sewage disposal system for the
city. In its charter, however,
three possible sewage disposal
systems were authorized: % A
separate Alexandria system, (2)
a partial joint system with Fair
fax County and 90 an extensive
joint arrangement with Fairfax
County.
The third was the one recon-
mended last night by Thomas
M. Niles, engineer for the firm
of Greeley & Hansen. He re-
ported that the cost of a COM
bined project would be 50, ,460, 900
while separate facilities would
cost total of $11, ,901 900. His
figures showed that Fairfax
County would save more than
$l.5 million by the joint arrange
ment and Alexandria would save
$SS6,000
Detailed Study.
Mr.. Niles had given tentative
estimates along the same lines
earlier, but last nights report
was the result of a more detailed
study. He added that there also
would be great savings in OPP
Grating costs with a combined
system. During the first 10
years of operation. he said Fair
fax would save $709, 900 in op-
Grating costs and Alexandria
would save $1,481 500.
you just can't ignore such
tremendous savings as these"
said John Pershing, bond coun-
sci to Fairfax County. "You
must get together"
James J. Corbalis, jr., Fair
fax sanitary engineer, concurred
that the county should make
every effort to participate in
/ the joint system. He said he
/ Thought the Joint arrangement
could be accomplished by hav-
ing Fairfax sign a contract with
the Alexandria Authority for
sewer service, agreeing to pay
the county's share of the initial
cost and operation.
Payments Big Problem.
"Our big problem is finding
the proper means of raising the
money to make the annual pay
ments to the Alexandria Au-
thority," said Mr.. Corbalis.
Albert A. Smoot, chairman Of
the authority, told Mr.. Corbalis
to have county attorneys work
out a proposed arrangement for
the authority's consideration as
soon as possible.
Mr.. Niles estimated it would
take eight weeks to prepare fig
ures for a bond issue, once Fair
fax decides whether to particle
pate. He said planning was GO
ing right ahead on interceptor
sewers to serve the city and
would not be delayed while word
is awaited from Fairfax.
A sewage treatment plant now
is under construction in Fair
fax County to serve much of the
urban area that would benefit by
the joint arrangement with
Alexandria. It is estimated.
however, that the Fairfax plant
Will reach its capacity within the
next four years. The Holmes
Run trunk sewer in Fairfax
County also is due to reach it's
capacity soon.
Plan for Joint Use.
Under the combination plan
recommended by Mr.. Niles. a
new Holmes Run sewer, the
Alexandria treatment plant.
pumping station and outlet con-
duit would be designed for Joint
use by Alexandria and Fairfax.
In addition. three other main
trunk sewers are to be installed
in Alexandria.
The idea for a joint Alex
andria Fairfax system grew out
OF the Northern Virginia re-
gional sewage survey, sponsored
by Alexandria, Fairfax. Arling-
ton and Falls Church. The sur
vey considered more than a
dozen possible alternatives for
sewage disposal in nearby Vir-
ginia, including one plan to pipe
Virginia sewage under the Po-
tomac River to the District plant
for treatment.
The survey showed that it
would be cheaper to treat Vir-
ginia sewage on the Virginia side
OF the river. but recommended
several ways the four communi-
ties could save money by ar
ranging joint use of facilities
including the Alexandria Fairfax
combination.
Others at Meeting.
Besides Mr.. Corbalis, others
from Fairfax County who met
with the Alexandria Authority
last night included County Exec
utive c. c. Massey, Common
wealth's Attorney Hugh B. Marsh
and Attorney Robert j. McCand-
lish, jr.
Summerfield Pearson of Alex
Brown & Sons also met with the
authority to discuss preliminary
plans for a bond issue to finance
the sewage system.
The authority formally elected
Mr.. Smoot chairman for one
year term and Linwood E. Reed
was elected secretary treasurer.
They previously had been elected
temporary officers. A set Of by
laws was adopted and regular