London Water Supply Infrastructure

London Water Supply Infrastructure

London's water supply infrastructure has developed over the centuries in line with the expansion of London and now represents a sizeable infrastructure investment. For much of London's history, private companies supplied fresh water to various parts of London from the River Thames and the River Lea. A crisis point was reached in the mid 19th century with outbreaks of cholera and general problems arising from extraction of water from the polluted Tideway, and major new facilities were built up river at Hampton and Molesey. Water undertakings in London were merged and nationalised as the Metropolitan Water Board, which was later reprivatised. The population of Greater London is currently supplied by four private companies: Thames Water, Affinity Water, Essex and Suffolk Water and Sutton and East Surrey Water.

Read more about London Water Supply Infrastructure:  Early London Water Supply, Sixteenth Century, Seventeenth Century, Eighteenth Century, Twentieth Century, Present Day

Famous quotes containing the words london, water and/or supply:

    Oh, London is a man’s town, there’s power in the air;
    And Paris is a woman’s town, with flowers in her hair;
    And it’s sweet to dream in Venice, and it’s great to study Rome;
    But when it comes to living, there is no place like home.
    Henry Van Dyke (1852–1933)

    Ice is an interesting subject for contemplation. They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond five years old which was as good as ever. Why is it that a bucket of water soon becomes putrid, but frozen remains sweet forever? It is commonly said that this is the difference between the affections and the intellect.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Municipal laws are a supply to the wisdom of each individual; and, at the same time, by restraining the natural liberty of men, make private interest submit to the interest of the public.
    David Hume (1711–1776)