London’s Thames Tideway Tunnel prevents 95% of sewage spills into the Thames River after ten years of construction.
This “super sewer” links to London’s old Victorian sewers. It has twenty one connections! The goal? To stop sewage from polluting the Thames River.
Sewers couldn’t handle heavy rain and population growth. They often overflowed into the river. The Thames is quite long; it is 215 miles!
Tideway said the sewer now stops 95% of spills. The project cost £5 billion. That is a lot of money. The sewer has already prevented a lot of waste.
Imagine 5,500,000 cubic meters stopped. It is like 2,200 Olympic swimming pools filled with sewage! New connections are at places like Putney Embankment.
Other spots include Chelsea and Blackfriars Bridge. Wapping’s King Edward Park is included too. This 16-mile pipe joins the existing Lee Tunnel.
The Lee Tunnel is a Thames Water asset. Together, they form the “London Tideway Tunnel” system. Construction started in 2016.
Thames Water customers paid for the “super sewer.” It will help biodiversity and public health. The sewer still needs storm testing.
Thames Water will then operate it. This is according to BBC News reports. Ofwat regulates water in England and Wales.
Its CEO called the sewer “historic.” Sadiq Khan, London’s Mayor, agrees it is a milestone. Khan wants to clean up other pollution sources too.
He wants cleaner, safer rivers for Londoners. Everyone should enjoy nature. The Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, wants cleaner waters.
The Thames Tideway Tunnel is an example of infrastructure investment.