The New River, a pioneering feat of engineering, brought fresh water to London in 1613, a testament to Sir Hugh Myddelton’s vision and the city’s desperate need for clean drinking water. This audacious project, financed and overseen by Myddelton, was a response to the dire public health situation caused by the brackish water of the Thames. Fast forward to the 19th century, and the Thames had become an open sewer, a breeding ground for cholera epidemics that claimed nearly 100,000 lives between 1848 and 1866. Joseph Bazalgette’s heroic sewerage system in 1875 turned the tide, cleaning the Thames and saving lives. Yet, here we are, in a time when corporate greed threatens to drag us back into those dark ages.
The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) is supposed to ensure that water companies protect and enhance the environment. However, the green light given to the water industry by the last administration to prioritise shareholder profits over environmental health makes clear who really holds power in regulatory decisions. Regulations passed by the last Conservative government permit water companies to continue discharging sewage into rivers and seas for the next fifteen years. This is not progress; it’s a regression, a stark reminder of the cholera-ridden past.
Ash Smith, of the group Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP), has called out the failure of the regulators. “The reasons why supposedly highly regulated water companies have done so well by exploiting captive bill-payers should, we think, be an important subject for the secretary of state ultimately responsible for the sewage scandal. ‘Regulatory capture’ or worse are obvious features that surely require investigation,” Smith said. This is not just about sewage; it’s about accountability, transparency, and the power dynamics that shape our water, sanitation, and drainage sector.
We have the technology, the knowledge, and the resources to ensure clean water and sanitation for all. Yet, we are regressing, not progressing. The New River and Bazalgette’s sewerage system were not just engineering feats; they were public health triumphs. Today, we face a similar challenge, but with a twist. This time, it’s not about lack of technology or knowledge; it’s about priorities. Are we prioritising profits over people and the planet? The answer, it seems, is a resounding yes.
This news should spark a debate, a call to action. We need to challenge the norms, question the priorities, and demand accountability. We need to learn from our past, not regress into it. The water, sanitation, and drainage sector is at a crossroads. Will we choose progress, or will we let corporate greed drag us back into the dark ages? The choice is ours, and the time to act is now. Let’s not let history repeat itself. Let’s learn from it, and let’s make the right choice.
