London Tideway Improvements

London's Victorian sewerage system was designed to overflow into the River Thames during extreme weather when the sewers reached capacity, to prevent homes and streets from flooding.

The system is struggling to cope with the demands of 21st century London, and discharges are now happening much more frequently - around once a week on average.

We've developed three major engineering schemes to help stop sewer overflows and improve water quality in the River Thames. This includes upgrades to all five of our major sewage works in London, the construction of the Lee Tunnel and the proposed Thames Tunnel.

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The Big Map

We plan to invest nearly £5bn across our region...

between 2010 and 2015. Find out what we're planning.

In pictures

Rig in River Thames

View images of our sewerage system from past to present

Project supporters

Baroness Jo Valentine

"The Tunnels are an essential piece of infrastructure..."