Evening star., 1955-09-22

Inc Widespread representation
Of jurisdictions concerned with
Foirfox PIons Pollution Study in Tribu.
tories. Pose A-29
the health and welfare OF the
Potomac was described by one
participant as the most signif-
icant" within his recollection.
The big turnout was prompted
by preliminary findings Of the
Washington Engineer District
(Army Engineer Corps, that the
100000 kilowatt plant-largest
in the Metropolitan area-might
require all the river flow at cer-
tain periods to cool its con-
densers.
A further upshot Of the engi-
|neers' studies Is that the Poto-
mac waters, through their use to
cool plant condensers, could be
heated to an extent that would
promote rS,ximum growth of
bacteria and aquatic plant life
in the water supply.
Will Report on Findings
No actions were taken in tina
informal session. But the repre-
|sentatives will report to their Or
IganiZations on the Engineer
Corps findings. These agencies
will reserve final judgment pend
ing analysis Of engineering fig-
ures submitted by Pepco, whose
lofhcials centend the plant will
have no harmful effect on the
river.
The meeting was called by Col.
Ray Adams, Washington District
Engineer. at the request Of the
Interstate Commission on the
Potomac River Basin. Oliver
Gasch, first assistant United
States attorney for the District
of Columbia. and longtime
counsel for the commission.
presided.
Mr.. Gasch said everyone recog-
nizes the need Of adequate elec-
trio power supply.
"our feeling, though, is that
these plants should be located 90
as not to have an adverse effect
on a river area now relatively
free Of pollution and needed for
water supply" he declared.
UNLESS Pepco has discovered q
magic formula for cooling its
plant without overheating the
Potomac I don't see how we can
avoid being concerned" he said.
Fear 1O-Degree Rise
The Engineer Corps has con-
cluded that river waters, used to
cool the plant condensers, could
be raised in temperature by as
much as 10 degrees-or to q
possible total maximum of nearly
100 degrees on some summer
days.
Pepco engineers have con-
tended that the increase would
be no more than i've degrees.
Even if this is so-and we've
yet to be shown" Col. Adams
said, ANY increase in river tenn
Iperature is a change in the wrong
direction"
David v. Aud. director of the
District government Sanitary
Engineering Department. said
river overheating could make the
Icity's drinking water supply un-
Epalatable.
"The more unpalatable the
water becomes. the more expen-
sive it is to treat it chemically to
restore its palatability." Mr.. Aud
said. This is a cost that must
be borne by the local water user"
Virginia Plans Action
A. H. Paessler, executive Sec
Iretary Of the Virginia State Wa
ter Control Board. said the En-
Igineers' findings will be closely
considered by his agency. River
Temperature increases as high as
10 degrees might well be consid-
cred under Virginia law as con.
Istituting a pollution menace, Mr..
Paessler told the gathering.
Malcolm E. King of the Mary
land State Game and Inland
Fishing Commission. pointed out
that overly warm river waters
would kill of fish.
Ellis S. Tisdale. director of
the Interstate Commission for
the Potomac Basin. summarized
the purpose Of the conference an
trying to determine realistically
whether the Pepco plant may
have an adverse effect on the
river"
And II we conclude 1t does,
we must prevent its construc-
tion," he said.
Also represented at the ses-
sion were: Maryland Water
Pollution Control Commission.
Maryland Department of Health,
National Capital Planning Com
mission, District Public Health
Department, the Fish and Wild
life Service Of the Interior
Department. National Capital
Parks, Loudoun County Planning
Commission. National Capital
Regional Planning Council,
Northern Virginia Regional Plan
ming Commission. Maryland
National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. Upper
Montgomery County Planning
Commission as well as spokes-
men for private home owners in
both Loudoun and Montgomery