UK Progress Atlas

Nature & Rewilding

London Tideway Super Sewer

Tideway is London’s new interceptor sewer beneath the Thames, designed to capture sewage that would otherwise overflow into the river.[1]

Current position

The first annual Tideway Benefits Report estimates an 86% reduction in storm-overflow volumes entering the tidal Thames in 2025 against the pre-Tideway average, and approximately 84 tonnes of sewage-derived litter intercepted. The volume comparison is modelled; 2025 was unusually dry, although the report attributes improvement beyond rainfall effects to the tunnel.

Benefits

  • Additional sewer capacity to reduce pollution from storm overflows and improve the River Thames.

Latest developments

Nature & Rewilding · 12 October 2026

First annual Tideway assessment reports 86% reduction in overflow volumes

The first annual Tideway Benefits Report estimates an 86% reduction in storm-overflow volumes entering the tidal Thames in 2025 against the pre-Tideway average, and approximately 84 tonnes of sewage-derived litter intercepted. The volume comparison is modelled; 2025 was unusually dry, although the report attributes improvement beyond rainfall effects to the tunnel.

Sources
  1. tideway.london ↗
  2. tideway.london ↗
  3. bbc.com ↗