In the summer of 1858, London faced an unprecedented crisis known as the Great Stink. The River Thames, once a vital artery of the city, had turned into an open sewer—a mix of human waste, industrial pollution, and garbage. As temperatures soared above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) with no rain in sight, the stench became unbearable, forcing many residents to flee.
The Overwhelming Stench of the Thames
The Thames had long been a source of life and commerce for London, but by the mid-19th century, it had become a dangerous cesspool. The city’s population had doubled to 2.5 million between 1800 and 1850, but the sewer system was outdated and overwhelmed. Waste from homes and businesses flowed directly into the river, exacerbated by the increasing use of indoor flush toilets.
As the heat intensified, the river's low levels exposed rotting refuse along its banks, creating a suffocating haze. Local press reports noted, “Whoso once inhales the stink can never forget it.” Charles Dickens described the Thames as “a deadly sewer” in his novel Little Dorrit, highlighting the dire situation faced by Londoners.
The Spread of Disease
During the Great Stink, outbreaks of dysentery, typhoid, and cholera spread rapidly. At the time, many believed that foul-smelling air caused diseases, a theory known as 'miasma.' However, physician John Snow discovered that the real culprit was contaminated drinking water.
In Soho, after a cholera outbreak killed around 500 people, Snow removed the handle from the Broad Street pump, effectively halting the outbreak. His work laid the foundation for modern epidemiology, yet he died just before the Great Stink peaked, leaving many unaware of the true cause of their suffering.
Parliament's Response and the New Sewer System
For years, the Metropolitan Board of Works had pushed for a new sewer system, but Parliament hesitated to allocate funds. The situation changed dramatically when lawmakers experienced the stench firsthand in their own building next to the Thames. They fled to the countryside, compelling them to take action.
Within just 18 days, Parliament approved £3 million for a new sewer system. Engineer Joseph Bazalgette was tasked with the project, which included nearly 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) of underground sewers designed to serve a future population of 4.5 million. The system was completed by 1875, effectively ending cholera outbreaks in London.
- Population growth: 2.5 million (1800-1850)
- Cholera deaths: over 30,000 (1831-1854)
- Bazalgette's sewer length: 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles)
- Funding for new system: £3 million
More than 150 years later, Bazalgette’s system still serves as the backbone of London’s wastewater network. However, with the city’s population now nearing 9 million, the system has faced challenges, leading to the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, set to open in 2025.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by DW English. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
