HOUSE FOR ASSISTANT WATCHMAN AND STOREHOUSE AND STABLE AT GREAT FALLS, MD. Attention is invited to the last annual report, in which the reasons are stated that render it advisable that a house for an assistant watchman and that a suitable storehouse and stable be constructed at Great Falls. The conditions reported last year still exist and the recommendations made in the last annual report are repeated. An estimate of $3.000 for a dwelling for the assistant watchman and an estimate of $3,000 for a storehouse and stable are submitted. CONSUMPTION AND WASTE OF WATER. Tables showing the average consumption of water per twenty-four hours, by years from 1874 to 1906, and by months from July, 1899, to June, 1906, will be found in the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1906, page 2092. The following table covers the fiscal years 1907 and 1908, and the accompanying diagram gives a graphic comparison with the consumption for previous years since 1899: Table showing average consumption of water for twenty-four hours. Population, police census, 1908, 339,403. Average per capita consumption July 1, 1907-June 30, 1908, 192 gallons. The maximum consumption for any day during the year was 80.38 million gallons, on September 14, 1907. In accordance with act of Congress approved May 26, 1908, appropriating the sum of $10,000 for preliminary investigations and surveys for increasing the water supply, an investigation will be begun at once. As reported annually for several years, the present system can not be safely depended upon to supply a greater quantity of water to the city than it is actually furnishing at present. The investigation to be undertaken is only a preliminary step and the additional works necessary to secure an increased supply will require several years to construct, even after they are authorized by Congress. It is absolutely essential that measures for the prevention of waste be continued, in order that the increased demand due to an increased population may be fully compensated for by a reduction in waste. It is believed that universal metering, if adopted, should reduce the per capita consumption to less than 120 gallons per day, the experi |