Letter from W. W. White (Reno) to Senator Pat A. McCarran (Washington, D.C.), September 22, 1943

September 22, 1943 Honorable P. A. McCarran United States Senate Washington, D. C. Dear Senator McCarran: Some time ago Miss Adams called asking if I would make a statement relative to sewerage needs for Reno. This information was to be sent to Mr. Nicholson of the Federal Works Agency. I am enclosing a copy of this report, with an extra copy for you to send to Mr. Nicholson, and am giving the original to Mayor Stewart. Sewerage conditions in the Reno area are critical, by this I don't want to give the impression we expect people to die or be ill from our failure to provide relief, although with overloaded sewers flooding streets during storm periods, and sewage backing up into basements, we shouldn't be surprised if this does happen. Conditions might continue as they are now without too much trouble, they don't stand still, rather sewer loads are increasing. To protect health, extensions will be made, new services are being provided. Women working in industry previously exclusively male, means additional facilities and these are being installed now. They all add to our sewerage problems. If any new building is to be provided in Reno, the sewerage program should be started, and in advance of such new building. My comments on metering water are not out of place but could stand explanation. Nevada statutes do not permit metering of an individual's water when in a town larger than 5000. This prohibition was aimed at Reno and as long as the Truckee River is full of water, no objections are expected. The distribution lines simply can't carry much more without being replaced and this can't be done at present flat rates and a use of as much as 22 million gallons of water daily by 27,000 persons. More elaborate treatment may have to be provided. Lastly, there is so much water it is overloading the sewers. At Las Vegas the use of water has increased until 10 million gallons per day is required by the present 27,000 persons. This is not the limit of the available water at Las Vegas, but it is nearing that limit. Water was previously from deep artesian wells, now shallower wells are being provided, pumps are being installed on otherwise artesian wells. Eventually this available water limit will be reached, the underground supply will begin to decrease. The sewerage services provided by Federal funds at Las Vegas cost $894,000 and are still not quite adequate, about a quarter of this total was spent to take care of wasted water. Some day we're going to have to face this question of metering and when we talk of correcting sewerage conditions is as good a time as any. That statute Honorable P. A. McCarran, Page #2 prohibiting meters in larger Nevada towns should be repealed and instead, we might permit the use of meters with liberal use of water and favorable rates, but permit meters when the volume of water used exceeds a reasonable quantity. If there is anything further on these reports, would you please let me know of your needs. With kindest personal regards, I am Yours very truly, W. W. White, Director Division of Public Health Engineering www/h