Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-04
Source in River
Seen Needed for
Suburban Water
BY GEORGE FLYNN

laouICe OF wafer supply Tor Inc
Maryland suburbs was urged
today IN two landmark" en-
gineering studies prepared for
the Washington Suburban SAM
tary Commission.
The initial tapping should be
done by 1860, if residents Of
burgeoning Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties are to
be guaranteed an adequate
water supply, the engineering
reports warn.
Meanwhile. Fairfax County,
Va. prepared to ask the Mary
land Commission on Geology,
Mines and Water Resources for
permission to tap the Potomac.
However, Fairfax has no
money and no definite plan to
create public water system.
A $50 million water bond issue
was defeated last fall. Super
visor William Moss said the
county should get a water per-
nit while steps are taken to de-
ivelop a new water program.
If started and developed over
a 30-year period, the Potomac
tapping by the Maryland group
will solve permanently the
water problems of the area" the
engineers reports assert.
The reports were made public
by T. Earle Bourne. chairman of
the commission which furnishes
water and sewage disposal Serv-
ice to the two counties. The
commission is taking the reports
under study,
Other Sources Ruled Out
Almost identical in their con-
illusions, the reports:
/. Rule out the use of other
streams as potential sources of
water because development costs
would be too great or the water
supply inadequate.
2 EnviSion the eventual build
ing of Federal dam along the
Potomac at River Bend which
could impound water sufficient to
supply the foreseeable needs Of
both the Maryland counties and,
in addition, Fairfax County.
| One study was made by Abel
/ Wohlman. internationally known
: engineer and chairman of Pres
ident Roosevelt's Water Re-
sources Commission. which COM
piled a monumental work on the
Nations water supplies and uses.
The other is the work of Harry
B Shaw, chief engineer of the
commission.
Botn engineers geared their
studies to the prospect that the
commission, which now serves
nearly 100000 persons, will be
faced with demands for water
from approximately IL million
persons by the year 1000.
Site Near Watts Branch
The Potomac River project
would be located near Watts
Branch. little more than ? miles
above Great Falls. The site was
selected because it is near the
area of expected future popu-
lation growth as well as the
River Bend dam site.
Further, Mr.. Wohlman says,
mo other source in the sur
rounding area, within econom-
ical distances and which has
not already been pre-emptied by
other users. is now available.
Nor would the mission
project interfere With water
uses downstream by the District
Of Columbia" or other potential
users in the Washington Metro
politan area. he added
The projects overall cost is
estimated at S26 million, but the
work would be done in stages,
spread out between now and
1890.
Initially. the commission would
embark on a Sl2.5 million pro-
gram, which would set up an in
take system. pumping station,
treatment plant ard pipelines, TO
be completed by 1850.
From the intake point, distri-
button lines would fan eastward
through Montgomery County. one
terminating IN the populous
Wheaton section and the other
stretching 10 the Falkland section
of the county
The commission engineer said
none Of the intake system facili-
ties would be materially affected
by the building OF any Federal
dam, whether Of the food con-
troll or multi-purpose type. nor
would the transition from a di-
rect intake 10 siphoning from
dam be a difficult task
A decision should be made
this winter on planning for new
water sources. Mr.. Shaw said,
because the General Assembly
must authorize the issuance Of
bonds to finance preliminary en-
cheering costs.
Mr.. Shaw emphasized that the
commission demands for water
from the Potomac will in no way
interfere with any plans Of the
City Of Rockville 10 tap the
Potomac in the same general
area for is municipal water
system.
Despite the ambitious scope
OF the project 1t should not Of
itself involve an increase In the
water rates In the sanitary dis
trict. Mr. shaw SAYS
n fact financial tables pre-
pared By Mr. Shaw indicate the
possibility OF a rato slash in the
lsGi-i99i period Depending On
the type 81 financing 81 the bond
ues he sees a peak Of between
272 70 2S3 cents per thousand
gallons ss the rate in 1861 drop
ping steadily 70 oelog 81 cents
In 1891
The current water rate is u
cents.