Evening star., 1961-11-26

clear in order that delays and
half-measures be avoided"
Discussing a recommenda-
ton made a few years ago by
Mr.. Wolman that treated sew
age wastes from Washington be
pumped to Chesapeake Bay, the
report said:
Although at present little
interest has been shown in
solving the pollution problem
once and for all by going to
the Chesapeake Bay, this Situa-
ton could change rapidly as
more and more people realize
that operating in the center
of the Nations Capital is what
is probably the worlds largest
sewage sterilization lagoon, the
upper estuary of the Potomac
River" The report added:
The value of the estuary
as a recreational area is now
such that it should be protected
to the maximum extent pos
sible against the degrading ef-
fects of its traditional use for
receiving the wastes of a great
metropolitan area"
Continued study of the pos
sibility of sending treated area
wastes to Chesapeake Bay was
recommended.
! Discussing the District treat
ment plant at Blue Plains, the
report said that after expan-
sion of this facility has reached
a certain stage it might be
advisable to start building a
second plant.
One advantage of construc-
ton Of a second plant, the
report said, would be that it
could be used at first to treat
the flows from combined sani-
tary and storm sewers, some of
which now go into the river
without treatment.
Small Plants DeplOred
! The report suggested that
the Regional Sanitary Board
work for the future elimina-
ton of small tributary treat
ment plants on minor tribu-
taries of the Potomac.
IF such plants are located
within the developing portions
of the Metropolitan Area" the
report said. they will probably
create problems that will ulti-
mately require their abandon
ment."
Highlights of reconnne
tions made for area jurisdic-
tions are:
ArIingtOn-Secondary treat
ment and increased capacity
should be provided at the pres
ent Arlington County plant be-
fore 1880. This plant provides
only primary treatment now.
Cost of the improvement needed
by 1880 is estimated at $6.5
million.
Fairfax - The report rec
ommends that Fairfax, Lou
doun and Prince William Coun-
ties work out an agreement for
construction of a tri-county
treatment plant near Mason
Neck. This plant would cost e1
estimated $11 million.
Alexandria - A Sc million
expansion of the treatment
plant on Hunting Greek is rec
commended. The report also
proposes that Alexandria
should begin to take steps to
separate its combined sanitary
and storm sewers.
Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties - The report
said it could add little to the
planning program conducted
by the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission. ct he
commission five-year sewer
age programs have provided
and will continue to provide the
basis for expansion of facili-
ties to meet the future needs Of
theiE service area" the report
said. 1t recommended that the
commissions jurisdiction be
expanded as required by
growth to include the entire
area of both Prince Georges
and Montgomery Counties.
Charles County-The Charles
County Sanitary District should
be expanded to include the en-
tire Mattawoman Creek water
shed. The report said an inte-
grated sewerage system for all
this area should be developed
in stages over the next 80 to
40 years.
The report recommends that
all sanitary engineering agen-
cies in the area should con-
tinue to discover and profit by
opportunities for cooperative
solution of their sewerage
problems"