Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-22
Alexandra Clears
Rate Hurdle in Plan
For Sewage System

vi SCWuyG Sy9iGM
:, Alexandra has cleared the
.last major hurdle In preparation
for construction Of q Sos mil
lion sewage disposal system that
should eliminate the city's pollu-
ton of the Potomac River by
1.-THE summer Of 1856.
.. Proposed Sewer service rates
ito finance the project came
through a public hearing con-
Quoted by the Alexandria Sani-
tation authority yesterday with
only a handful Of comments
few Of them critical.
This left the way clear for the
sanitation authority to forward
the proposed rate schedule to the
State Corporation Commission
for final approval.
The next step is the opening
of construction bids at 2 pm.
September l and the sale Of
:, bonds within three more weeks
to finance the program.
Dozen Persons Attend.
About a dozen interested specta-
tors turned UP at the hearing. It
was the first opportunity for
public comment on the multi
million dollar program to clean
up the Potomac River.
No one protested construction
Of disposal system. two women
questioned the rates, and several
other queries were directed at
minor sewer problems, not in
the sanitation authority,s juris-
diction. The authority is con-
cerned only with construction
OF three major collecting sewers,
pumping stations and the dis
.posal plant. The construction
of all other sewers in the city re-
mains under Alexandria's De-
partment Of Public Works.
Rate Set ut 80 Pct.
The proposed rate schedule
amounts to 80 per cent Of cur
rent water bills.
In answer to questions, mem
bers Of the authority explained
that the 80 per cent figure was
reached by calculating how
much revenue would be needed
TO retire the bonds and operate
the disposal system. A definite
set of charges is set I'D for
sewer service. however. based on
consumption Of water. Sewer
rates would not be affected by
any future changes in water
rates.
James ]. Corbalis. jr., engineer
director Of authority, said every
effort would be made to lower
rates II construction costs are
lower than expected. The au-
thority does not propose to sell
its bonds until after construction
bids are in hand.
A portion Of Fairfax County
also is to be served by the new
disposal system. Fairfax is COM
mitted by contract to pay a GER
tain sum to the city each year
Tor construction and operation
costs.
Alexandria's share of initial
construction costs is $7.2 million
and Fairfax's Is $3.3 million. En-
-glneers estimate the two juris-
dlctions are saving more than
50 million by cooperating.
Plant on Hunting Creek.
The disposal plant is to be To-
Gated on the banks Of Hunting
Greek just west of Payne street.
It Is designed to provide inter-
mediate treatment CTS to- 80
per cent Of pollution removed)
and will fully meet the city's re.
quirements for curbing pollution
OF the Potomac River in the Dis
trict area.
:: The system Is calculated to
meet the city's needs through
the year 1000. with some expan-
sion Of the disposal plant in
1878. according to Albert A.
Smoot. authority chairman.
:: Alexandria has been under Or
ders from the Virginia State
Water Control Board for two
years to provide treatment IA
cilities for all the sewage the
city now empties completely UNI
treated into the Potomac River.
The water board has held the
order in allegiance while Alexan-
dria Strengthened out the many
legal difficulties encountered in
establishing the authority and
Joining with Fairfax County in
the pollution abatement pro-
gram,