London Tideway Tunnel (Super Sewer)
London's new super sewer catches sewage that used to spill into the River Thames in storms, with room for 1.6 million cubic metres (Tideway).
Image: NASA (iss074e0381351, March 13, 2026).
Last reviewed: 1 source cited
Explain Like I'm 10
- When it rains hard in London, old sewers used to overflow into the River Thames.
- A giant new tunnel under the river now catches that dirty water.
- The water is sent away to be cleaned, so the river stays healthier.
The Five W's of the Tideway Tunnel
What
A "super sewer" tunnel 7.2 metres wide that intercepts, stores and transfers sewage away from the River Thames.
Source: Tideway, The tunnel
When
In May 2024 the super sewer was connected to the Lee Tunnel, working since 2016, completing the full network.
Source: Tideway, The tunnel
Where
Under London, from Acton in the west, 31 metres deep, falling to 66 metres at Abbey Mills Pumping Station in the east.
Source: Tideway, The tunnel
Why
During heavy storms, rain and sewage used to spill into the Thames at overflow points. The tunnel now captures it to be treated.
Source: Tideway, The tunnel
Impact Statement
Company solution · active
The London Tideway Tunnel network can store 1.6 million cubic metres of sewage, about 600 Olympic-size swimming pools, to protect the tidal Thames (Tideway).
Source: Tideway, The tunnel
For Further Information: Tideway, The tunnel
The super sewer can hold about 600 Olympic-size swimming pools of sewage (Tideway).
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
The tunnel protects the river that runs through the heart of London from polluting sewage spills (Tideway).
Source: Tideway, The tunnel
For Nature
Sewage is now captured and sent for treatment, protecting the river and its wildlife (Tideway).
Source: Tideway, The tunnel
Learn More About the Tideway Tunnel
Want to go deeper? Tideway has the full story of the tunnel.
For Further InformationRelated Solutions
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