The Thames Tideway Tunnel (Tideway) is a new 25km ‘super sewer’ being built under the River Thames to help reduce the amount of untreated sewage that is currently discharged into the River Thames. The three components of the London Tideway Improvements (of which the Thames Tideway Tunnel is one) will work conjunctively to reduce polluting discharges into the River Thames by c37 million cubic metres in a typical year. This will create a healthier environment for London by cleaning up the city’s greatest natural asset.
THE BACKGROUND
A 25km long, 7.2m diameter tunnel running up to 65 metres below the river Thames, replacing the Thames as a "sewer of last resort”. The Thames Tideway Tunnel will transport overflow sewage to a pumping station located at Abbey Mills (East London) before final treatment in Beckton Sewage Treatment Works.
The tunnel will be built under three separate construction contracts, each covering a distinct physical section of the network. The tunnel is expected to be fully operational in 2025.
Facts
Length of sewer
25km
Diameter of new tunnel
7.2m
Waste treated when operational
37m cubic metres
New Public Space
3 acres
SDGs SUPPORTED
THE OUTCOME
Project highlights include:
- A yielding investment through both construction and operating periods
- A fully index-linked revenue stream
- An investment grade rated entity that is regulated by Ofwat
More details can be found on Tideway's website www.tideway.london