Thames Tideway Tunnel:Upgrade for London’sWastewater System

Quelle/credit: Otto Herschan/Getty

A sewer system was built in London between 1859 and 1865 comprising six main canals with a total length of 160 km and 1800 km of street sewer channels. The left photo shows Joseph Bazalgette (top right) on the construction site of the Northern Outfall Sewer below the Abbey Mills Pumping Station; the picture on the right shows construction works at the Northern Outfall Sewer in the year 1902

Quelle/credit: Otto Herschan/Getty

Quelle/credit: Tideway

The principle of the Thames Tideway Tunnel

Quelle/credit: Tideway

General overview of the Thames Tideway Tunnel project

Quelle/credit: Tideway

Longitudinal section of the complete Thames Tideway project

Quelle/credit: Tideway

Overview of Thames Tideway Tunnel, West Section

Quelle/credit: Tideway

Exemplary geotechnical longitudinal section

Quelle/credit: Tideway

Inside a CSO

Quelle/credit: Tideway

London’s water and wastewater system provider, Thames Water, is improving its water quality through a three-stage upgrade. After redeveloping its clarification plants and opening the Lee Tunnel, a combined facility for storage and the conveyance of sewage mixed with rainwater in the east of the city, now the Thames Tideway Tunnel is being tackled. It is the biggest project, entailing investments of ca. 4.2 billion pounds sterling. As from 2023, it is intended to carry sewage from 34 of London’s largest combined sewer overflows over a length of 25 km, store and transfer it to Lee Tunnel. This article describes the main construction measures and special features of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, particularly the West Section.

The Sewage System from the 19^th Century until Today

Until the mid-19^th century, London’s growing volume of sewage ran off conspicuously along the streets prior to draining into the River Thames. At the time, the River Thames was nothing more than a dead river transporting raw sewage. This significant health risk resulted in many deaths due to cholera outbreaks. In 1858, “The Great Stink of London” found its way into the history books. Only when the members of parliament had to interrupt their work at Westminster that year, was it actually decided to go ahead with the design and implementation...