In the summer of 1858, Londoners found themselves in the middle of a big stinking problem.
That year, the weather was unusually hot.
Eventually they decided that rebuilding Londons sewer system was the only possible solution.
Within a record eighteen days, a bill was created, passed, and signed into law.
The ornate interior of Crossness Pumping Station in London.
Each plan he submitted was promptly shot down citing one problem or the other.
The overpowering smell finally moved the bureaucratic cogwheels and Bazalgette got the go-ahead to begin construction.
The ‘Great Stink’ therefore greatly alarmed the population.
Later, it was revealed that the pump was located near a leaking sewer.
Instances of the disease is said to have fell considerably once the pump was disabled.
Bazalgette also built three huge embankments along the shores of the Thames inside which ran the sewer lines.
Bazalgette demonstrated amazing foresight when designing the system.
Thanks to such forward planning, Londons 150-year old Victorian sewage system is still functioning to this day.
The sewers also helped reduce instances of cholera epidemic and other infection by removing contamination.
It is possible to visit the Crossness Pumping Station in the London Borough of Bexley today.
The exterior originally had a giant humbug-striped chimney, and its doorways were modeled after Norman cathedrals.
Exterior of Crossness Pumping Station, Photo credit:Ethan Doyle White/Wikimedia
The interior of Crossness Pumping Station.
