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Writer's pictureKaren Hunter

English reading practice - Revolutionising Sanitation (C1/C2 Advanced)

In the mid-19th century, as the Industrial Revolution burgeoned and cities expanded, a hidden menace lurked beneath the bustling streets: sewage. The stench and disease stemming from inadequate waste disposal posed a serious threat to public health. Enter Joseph Bazalgette, a visionary civil engineer, who, in 1865, revolutionised urban living with his groundbreaking sewage system.


Picture London in the 1800s – a thriving metropolis marred by narrow streets, burgeoning populations, and archaic waste disposal methods. The River Thames, once a lifeblood, had become a cesspool of human and industrial waste. The fetid odour was unbearable, and deadly diseases like Cholera ran rampant. Bazalgette was tasked with a Herculean challenge: to cleanse the city of this malodourous menace and halt the spread of deadly diseases.


His plan was as ingenious as it was ambitious. He proposed an extensive system of underground sewers that would intercept and divert sewage away from the Thames. By channelling waste to treatment facilities on the outskirts of the city, he aimed to eliminate the threat of waterborne diseases and transform London into a more habitable space.


Bazalgette faced numerous challenges during the construction of his sewer system. Digging beneath the teeming streets of London was a dirty, dangerous business. The workers, affectionately known as "navvies," toiled tirelessly in appalling conditions. They contended with mudslides, cave-ins, and the ever-present risk of contracting diseases from the very filth they sought to contain.


Implementing Bazalgette's grand vision required substantial financial investment. The Metropolitan Board of Works, the governing body overseeing the project, faced criticism for the considerable costs involved. However, Bazalgette's foresight prevailed, and the funds were allocated to ensure the completion of the monumental undertaking. The investment, it turned out, was a small price to pay for the immense improvement in public health and living conditions.



Despite the challenges, Bazalgette's sewage system was completed in 1875. The effects were nothing short of revolutionary. The once foul-smelling Thames regained its sparkle, and the prevalence of waterborne diseases dramatically decreased. The sewage system set a precedent for urban planning worldwide, demonstrating the vital importance of sanitation in fostering healthier, more sustainable cities.


Joseph Bazalgette's ingenious sewage system not only saved lives but also set a precedent for modern urban planning. His innovative approach to sanitation laid the foundation for healthier, more livable cities around the globe. As we flush away our daily waste, we owe a debt of gratitude to Bazalgette's vision, determination, and the army of workers who laboured in the mud and muck to bring about this transformative change. In 1865, a river of sewage threatened London's existence; in 1875, a network of sewers gave birth to a healthier, more prosperous city.


Check your understanding

  1. What was the main challenge Joseph Bazalgette sought to address with his sewage system in 1865?

  2. How did Bazalgette's plan for a sewage system differ from previous waste disposal methods in London during the 19th century?

  3. What were some of the difficulties faced by the workers, or "navvies," during the construction of the sewage system beneath London's streets?

  4. How did the completion of Joseph Bazalgette's sewage system in 1875 impact the quality of life in London?

  5. In what ways did Bazalgette's innovative approach to sanitation set a precedent for urban planning worldwide?


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Vocabulary

  1. Herculean: This term, derived from Greek mythology, refers to a task or challenge that requires great strength, effort, and determination.

  2. Malodourous: Describing something as malodourous means that it has a foul or unpleasant smell.

  3. Fetid: Similar to malodourous, fetid is an adjective used to characterise something as having a strong, unpleasant odour.

  4. Filth: Filth refers to dirt, grime, or any substance that is considered morally or socially offensive.

  5. Cesspool: In this context, a cesspool is a pool of liquid waste and sewage, often used metaphorically to describe a situation or place that is unpleasant or corrupt.

  6. Sanitation: The term sanitation refers to the conditions relating to public health, cleanliness, and the disposal of waste, particularly human waste.

  7. Cave-in: A cave-in occurs when the walls or ceiling of an excavation or tunnel collapse, often posing a significant danger to those working in the area.

  8. Navvies: This colloquial term is short for "navigators" and historically referred to the labourers, often migrant workers, who were involved in the construction of canals and railways. In this context, it describes the workers involved in Bazalgette's sewer system construction.

  9. Precedent: A precedent is an example or decision from the past that serves as a guide or justification for future situations or actions.


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