Last reviewed: 2.6.2011 - 9.04pm
In the early 1600s the New River was created to meet rising demand for water in London.
Hugh Myddleton - creator of the New River
This was a 40-mile channel which carried water from springs in Hertfordshire to Islington in North London. It became operational in 1613 and is still partly in use today.
It was created by London goldsmith and entrepreneur Hugh Myddleton.
In the 18th Century, the Industrial Revolution resulted in major population movements from rural areas to the cities.
By 1805 London's population stood at one million.
This increased the pressure on existing water supplies, but key innovations such as cast iron piping eventually helped improve the situation.
