In May 2024, the new 25km super sewer was connected to the 6.9km Lee Tunnel – completing the full ‘London Tideway Tunnel’ network, which has a combined capacity of 1.6m m3 to protect the River Thames in London.
The tunnel, a major infrastructure project, will help stop tens of millions of tonnes of raw sewage pouring into the river every year and is being delivered by an alliance of contractors. The west region is being delivered by a joint venture of BAM Nuttall, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and Balfour Beatty.
Data published today shows that in one day alone, when London saw heavy rainfall on September 23rd, 589,000 m3 was captured by the London Tideway Tunnel with just the first connections activated.
Tideway Tunnel under construction
Tideway CEO Andy Mitchell said: “This is an important moment for the Thames. The super sewer has been switched on and is starting to protect the river from sewage pollution.
“After eight years of construction, in which almost 25,000 people have contributed more than 40 million working hours, this system is operating for the first time.
“These are early days, with more connections to make and further testing to come, but the super sewer’s positive influence on the health of the Thames will increase over the coming months – and London will soon be home to the cleaner, healthier river it deserves.
Peter Kirk, business unit Managing Director and Tideway West board member for Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said: “As Thames Tideway has shared, this is a major milestone for the project and we are incredibly proud of the achievement of our teams and partners in getting us to this point. Well done to all involved.”
Tideway Tunnel under construction
The new system will have a capacity equivalent to 640 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Teams are now working to bring the system into full operation. This involves connecting the remaining discharge points to the new super sewer and testing the entire system during different weather conditions, including heavy storms.
Once fully operational, Tideway anticipates that the super sewer will virtually eliminate the harmful effects of sewage pollution on the River Thames through central London.