What is the history of the London sewer?

Answer by  Hazel101 (185)

In the late 1800's Cholera was rampant as raw sewage polluted the Thames river. For over 200 years raw sewage and ignorance caused serious illness and death. Joseph William Bazalgette a city surveyor was given the job of surveying a pipe system that could carry the waste away. Although he died before this was done, he began the project.

Answer by  sfmike2000 (56)

The sewage system that exists in London today was actually constructed in the middle of the 19th century. After years of neglect, a civil engineer, Joseph Bazalgette, was hired to complete the project. It took seven years to complete the job, and ran for span of over 450 miles. The same sewer system is in place today.

Answer by  dpboris (383)

The first London sewer system was built 1859-1865, mostly because of the event known as "the Great Stink" forced the government to do something about the horrible lack of sanitation. The main engineer was Joseph Bazalgette. Since then the system has undergone numerous expansion and modernization, though it's been hard-pressed to keep pace with the increasing population of London.