Title 40 — Public Buildings, Property, and WorksRelease 119-73not60

§9502 Authority of Chief of Engineers

Title 40 › Subtitle SUBTITLE II— PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND WORKS › Part D— PUBLIC BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND PARKS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA › Chapter 95— WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT AND OTHER PUBLIC WORKS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA › § 9502

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Chief of Engineers and needed assistants can use any legal methods to do their jobs. The Chief runs the Washington Aqueduct and can set rules about how D.C. officials draw water for residents. If the water left is only just enough for public buildings and grounds, the Chief must stop D.C. from taking more. Any challenge to the Chief’s water decisions can only be taken to the Secretary of the Army.

Full Legal Text

Title 40, §9502

Public Buildings, Property, and Works — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Chief of Engineers and necessary assistants may use all lawful means to carry out their duties.

(b)(1)The Chief of Engineers has complete control over the Washington Aqueduct to regulate the manner in which the authorities of the District of Columbia may tap the supply of water to the inhabitants of the District of Columbia.

(2)The Chief of Engineers shall stop the authorities of the District of Columbia from tapping the supply of water when the supply is no more than adequate to the wants of the public buildings and grounds.

(3)The decision of the Chief of Engineers on all questions concerning the supply of water under this subsection may be appealed only to the Secretary of the Army.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 9502(a), (b)(1), (2)40:51.R.S. § 1810. 9502(b)(3)40:52.R.S. § 1811. In subsection (b)(3), the words “Secretary of the Army” are substituted for “Department of War” [subsequently changed to “Department of the Army” because of section 205(a) of the National Security Act of 1947 (ch. 343, 61 Stat. 501)] because of 10:3013(a)(1).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

40 U.S.C. § 9502

Title 40 — Public Buildings, Property, and Works

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60