Great Stink

The silent highwayman

Event in central London in July and August 1858

Great Stink

The Great Stink was an event in central London in July and August 1858 during which the smell of untreated human waste and industrial effluent was very strong in the River Thames. The problem had been mounting for some years, with an increasing amount of raw sewage being dumped into the river as the population of London grew. The hot weather exacerbated the situation, causing the river to smell foul and become a serious health hazard.

Background

During the early 19th century, the population of London increased rapidly, leading to a significant rise in the amount of waste produced. The existing sanitation infrastructure was inadequate to cope with the volume of waste, and much of it ended up in the River Thames. The river was also used as a source of drinking water, which led to frequent outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases.

The Event

In the summer of 1858, a period of hot weather caused the water level in the River Thames to drop, concentrating the pollutants and causing the stench to become unbearable. The smell was so bad that it affected the work of the Houses of Parliament, located on the banks of the river. Curtains soaked in chloride of lime were hung in the windows of the House of Commons in an attempt to alleviate the smell, but this had little effect.

Response

The Great Stink prompted action from the government, which had previously been reluctant to invest in a comprehensive sewerage system. The Metropolitan Board of Works was given the task of addressing the problem, and the engineer Joseph Bazalgette was appointed to design and oversee the construction of a new sewer system.

Construction of the Sewer System

Bazalgette's design involved the construction of a network of sewers that would intercept waste before it reached the Thames and divert it to treatment works further downstream. The project was a massive undertaking, involving the construction of over 1,100 miles of sewers and the use of innovative engineering techniques. The new system was completed in 1875 and significantly improved the sanitation and health of London.

Legacy

The Great Stink was a turning point in the history of public health and urban sanitation. It highlighted the need for proper waste management systems in growing cities and led to significant advancements in civil engineering and public health policy. The sewer system designed by Bazalgette is still in use today and is considered a landmark achievement in engineering.

See also

• Joseph Bazalgette
• Cholera outbreaks in London
• Sanitation
• Public health
• Civil engineering