Water supply and sanitation in London

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Water supply and sanitation in London is provided by private companies.[1] The regional water strategy for London is produced by the Greater London Authority.[2] Much of the water supply and sewerage system was constructed during the Victorian era (1837-1901), in light of repeated cholera outbreaks.[3][4] Greater London is located within the Thames River Basin District.[5]

Water supply[edit]

Water supply by population

  Thames (76%)
  Affinity (14%)
  Essex and Suffolk (7%)
  SES Water (4%)

London has well developed water supply infrastructure. Most drinking water consumed in London comes from the River Thames and the River Lee. Approximately 70% of all water supplied to London is taken from the Thames upstream of Teddington Weir.[6]

Greater London is currently supplied by four companies: Thames Water (76% of population), Affinity Water (14%), Essex and Suffolk Water (7%) and SES Water (4%).[7]

Sewerage[edit]

All of Greater London is within the Thames River Basin District.[8] The London sewerage system is operated by Thames Water and serves almost all of London, except for a small area where Anglian Water provides sewerage services.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Water sector overview - Ofwat". Ofwat. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  2. ^ Nickson, Alex (2011). "Securing London's water future" (PDF). www.london.gov.uk. Greater London Authority. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  3. ^ "History of the UK's sewers | Water UK". www.water.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  4. ^ Cook, G. C. (2001-12-01). "Construction of London's Victorian sewers: the vital role of Joseph Bazalgette". Postgraduate Medical Journal. 77 (914): 802–4. doi:10.1136/pgmj.77.914.802. ISSN 0032-5473. PMC 1742196. PMID 11723335.
  5. ^ River habitats in Thames River Basin District: Current state and character (PDF). Almondsbury, Bristol: Environment Agency. 2010. p. 11.
  6. ^ "Securing London's Water Future - The Mayor's Water Strategy" (PDF). October 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
  7. ^ "London's strategic infrastructure requirements – an evidence base to help deliver the Mayoral strategies" (PDF). 18 July 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-07-21. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  8. ^ "Thames River Basin District" (PDF). Environment Agency. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-28. Retrieved 3 September 2018.