Takoma Park Sewer Farm Relocation
THE Washington Star of Wednesday, May 11, contained quite a lengthy article concerning the action of the town of Takoma Park in securing land for its new sewer farm. From this article we take the following paragraphs:— The object of the town in purchasing this property is for the removal of the present sewer farm from its present position near the larger tract of land purchased by the Seventh-day Adventists to a point where it would not be a menace to their property, and at the same time prevent contamination of the water which will be supplied to the buildings on the ground of the Adventists. One of the outlets of the Takoma sewer system is located one thousand feet from the western border line. According to the agreement entered into between the mayor and council of Takoma Park, Md., and the Washington, D. C., Sanitarium Association incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia, the latter proposes to establish a sanitarium and school in its parcel of land in the town of Takoma Park, Md., described as block fifty-one in B. F. Gilbert’s subdivision. The sewage disposal plant, which is located on land adjacent to the above property, is considered by the association to be detrimental to the interests and prospects of the sanitarium and school enterprises to be established on its property. In order to overcome this objectionable portion of the town’s sewerage system the mayor and council have agreed to remove the sewage disposal field to a point not less than three thousand feet from the southern boundary of block fifty-one. They will also provide ample sewer facilities for the requirements of the sanitarium and school buildings and of such other buildings which may be erected on the above property by the association. The installation of the new sewage field and the extension of the sewer main to the new disposal plant will be completed as early as practicable, but not later than November 1 next. The town officials expect to extend the town water main along Carroll Avenue in order to furnish facilities for tapping the main at the shortest distance from the proposed sanitarium and school buildings. The main will be of sufficient dimensions to furnish an adequate water supply, and a number of fire hydrants to furnish an ample supply of water in case of fire will be provided for. The town will in the near future make the necessary arrangements to supply to the sanitarium three hundred thousand gallons of water per month free of charge for a period of five years. Any quantity in addition to the above amount will be supplied by the town at the rate of seven cents per one thousand gallons, which is to be measured by a standard water meter. The school will be supplied at the rate of seven cents per one thousand gallons, which price, it is understood, will continue for the next five years. In consideration of these arrangements by the town officials, the sanitarium agrees to establish the buildings mentioned at an early date, and expend the sum of fifty thousand dollars within the next two years for the construction of these two buildings. The association has decided to grant a right of way for a sewer main of the entire block from the present sewer farm to Sligo Creek. As soon as the above acts have been carried into effect, and the work in connection with the removal of the farm and mains completed, the sum of twelve hundred dollars will be paid to the town, for its share of expense incurred by this removal.