London’s landmark sewer: 150 years of sewer network investment

150 years after opening of Crossness pumping station, Tim Brewer explains the circumstances which triggered investment in London’s first sewer network and action is required to protect today’s poor from inadequate sanitation.

Although life without clean drinking water and safe and sanitary toilet facilities may seem alien to many of us, this was the unpleasant reality for people living in the UK not all that long ago.

In the 19^th century, poor sanitation meant life expectancy was less than 20 years for the poor in some towns and cities. People were frequently ill and unable to work. Sewage was deposited into the river Thames – also the source of drinking water – and cholera outbreaks were common.

4 April 2015 marks 150 years since the opening of London’s first sewer network. This was a key milestone in the transformation of the country; demonstrating how a hygienic environment could make us a healthier, wealthier nation. But this transformation would not have happened without the enormous political change that took place around this time.

The number of people eligible to vote gradually increased from a small minority of wealthy males to nearly all men. The increasing power of working men encouraged political action to improve the situation for the poor while government reform at national and local level improved the ability to manage collective affairs.

Statistics revealed that the cost of improving the sanitation situation was less than the costs incurred by the frequent deaths, sickness and lost productivity. It led to the passing of the Public Health Act in 1848 which enabled local authorities to directly protect the health and wellbeing of their citizens.

This Act led to a reduction in the use of cesspits and increase in drain connections, but these drains emptied into the Thames, polluting this main water source. This reached a climax during the ‘Great Stink’ of 1858, when the smell from the untreated sewage in the River Thames became so bad it forced parliament to close. With the issue literally getting up the politicians’ noses, a bill was passed in just 18 days to secure a solution. Joseph Bazalgette’s diverting sewers were approved, and Crossness pumping station opened in 1865. Cholera left the capital for good within a decade.

Our history proves the importance of political will in achieving universal access to water and sanitation, but there are also more recent examples. Both Singapore and South Korea achieved universal access to sanitation extremely quickly after independence, despite starting from very challenging positions. High level political involvement and the priority of sanitation were vital.

The anniversary of Crossness coincides with a critical year for the world’s poor. In September, new global goals to end extreme poverty will be agreed by the UN. It is essential that these include a dedicated goal on water, sanitation and hygiene, which are vital to improve health, education, gender equality and economic growth.

Visit wateraid.org/uk/bighistoryproject to find out more about the local stories behind your taps and toilets, or to share yours, and remind MPs that we were pioneers in sanitary reform. It’s now time for the Government to again be a champion, this time for the health of the poorest and most marginalised communities around the world.