10 amazing photos of London's sewers as it celebrates its 150th birthday

London's sewer celebrates its 150th birthday Credit: Thames Water

Today marks the 150th anniversary of London's sewer systems which were developed after the smell from the Thames was so pungent Parliament had to be suspended.

The sewer was officially opened by Edward, Prince of Wales on April 4 1865 and originally was a 37-acre site as well as 20 houses built for workers.

The sewer was created in response to the crisis caused by 400,000 tonnes of sewage being flushed into the River Thames every day.

This lead to the 'Great Stink' of 1858 when on a hot summer day the stench was so bad MPs could not sit in Parliament and demanded immediate action was taken.

The network was designed by the engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, and as London grows the system continues to expand and develop.

Aerial view of Mogden Sewage Treatment Works Credit: Thames Water
The Lee Tunnel shaft under construction at Beckton sewage works in east London Credit: Thames Water
The Lee Tunnel project team with 'Busy Lizzie', the 120-metre-long boring machine Credit: Thames Water
Cast iron water mains being installed in Marylebone Road, London (1920s) Credit: Thames Water
Egg-shaped 'digesters' at Reading Sewage Treatment Works Credit: Thames Water
Cast iron water mains being installed in Euston Road, London (1920s) Credit: Thames Water
Solar panels fitted at our Beckton site, east London Credit: Thames Water
Sewer flusher inside the Fleet Sewer below Farringdon Road, London (circa 1900) Credit: Thames Water
Engineer cleaning inside the London Ring Main Credit: Thames Water