Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-10

portion of Fairfax County'S pop
ulation. a water company official
has indicated.
J. j. Barr, president of the
American Waterworks Co. of
Philadelphia, told members OF
the Fairfax County Public
Utilities Commission yesterday
THAT a rate increase definitely
will be needed by the Alexandria
Water Co. That company serves
Jail of Alexandria's $4,000 resi-
dents and several thousands in
adjacent Fairfax County terri
tory.
Mr.. Barr said there is a prob
ability" that the Virginia Water
ICo will also need a rate in
crease. This company serves
between 10000 and $4,000 per-
sons in Fairfax County and
provides water for the Amman
dale Water Co., serving about
10000 people, and the Fairfax
Hydraulics Water Co., serving
about 10000 persons south OF
Alexandra.
Public System Discussed
The Alexandria and Virginia
companies are owned by Ameri-
can Waterworks. Both firms gel
their supplies from the Occoquar
reservoir which is owned by the
Alexandria company.
Mr.. Bars statements were
made at an informal meeting
of the Public Utilities Commits
Ision with county officials, civic
Headers and water company Of
f1cials.
The meeting again brought
talk of possible county -owned
water system.
William Moss. member Of the
Board of County Supervisors,
warned water company officials
that rates can reach q point
which "the traffic will not bear"
He said:
"a bond issue for q county,
owned system is not bad by any
means. Public sentiment could
result in another bond issue be-
ling put before the voters. If
it ever comes up again, the bond
Issue will pass"
Laud Costs Stressed
He said it was "up to water
company officials to police Their
own COSTS"
A $50 million water bond issue
to finance an integrated, county
owned system was turned down
last November by Fairfax County
voters. Plans called for county
acquisition of the several pri-
vately owned companies.
The Occoquan Creek reservoir
is being expanded at an esti-
mated cost of SO to 81 million
Water company officials say land
cost increased the total con-
siderably. The company is hav-
ing to condemn most of the land
needed for the expansion.
Howard C. Richards, manager
OF the Alexandria company, said
that a recent award in the first
condemnation case in Fairfax
; Circuit Court has been appealed
4 Mr.. Barr said that the neeC
for a rate increase for the Vir.
Iginia Water Co., will depend or
the rate of expansion of the
firm. He said that additional
revenues produced by increased
business in fast-growing Fairfax
may offset the cost of the Oc.
coquan project to be carried
by the Virginia firm.
State Must OK Increase
/ Any rate increases would re.
quire the approval of the State
Corporation Commission.
The meeting yesterday was
called by the Public Utilities
Commission to decide whether
the county would be justified in
intervening in a rate case pend
ing before the sec. The Vir-
ginia Water Co. has asked the
sec for an increase from 25
cents to 37.5 cents per 1000 GAL
Ions for water it supplies the
Annandale company.
Il The Virginia company also has
asked for changes in conditions
under which it supplies Fairfax
Hydraulics. Under the requested
arrangement, the Virginia firm
would supply most of the water
used by Fairfax Hydraulics Gus
toners. Now it provides water
only in emergencies.
p. U. c. to Meet Again
Both requests come before the
sec September 4. Members of
the P. U. C. said they would meet
again next week before making
a recommendation to the Board
of County Supervisors.
Mr.. Barr also indicated yester-
day there was considerable doubt
on whether the Virginia COM
pany will be able to carry out
its previously announced plan
to buy the Annandale firm. He
said the owners of the AMMAN
dale firm have not yet reached
a satisfactory arrangement with
the Bureau Of Internal Revenue
on proceeds of the sale. The
sale is contingent upon an adj
Ivantageous tax arrangement for
the present owners, he said. The
tentative contract to buy the
company expires September 30,