Tech and Science Daily | The Standard

Lucy Tobin looks to the future of the River Thames. From climate change and population growth to water shortages, pollution and emerging contaminants, she explores the challenges facing one of Britain's most important waterways. Hearing from scientists, campaigners, politicians and water industry experts, Lucy asks what needs to happen next to protect the Thames for future generations — and whether the decisions being made today will be enough to secure the river's long-term health.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucy Tobin investigates the challenges facing Thames Water as the company comes under increasing scrutiny from customers, politicians and campaigners. From flooding and compensation disputes to rising bills, debt and sewage pollution, she examines why public trust has been eroded and puts tough questions directly to one of Thames Water's most senior executives about the future of the company and the river it serves.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered.
In the fourth episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin investigates the Tideway Tunnel — the vast engineering project built beneath the River Thames to tackle London's sewage pollution problem.
Following decades of sewage spills into the river, the £4.6 billion "super sewer" was designed to capture millions of tonnes of wastewater that would otherwise overflow into the Thames during heavy rainfall.
But while the tunnel is reducing pollution, can it protect London from the increasing threat of flash flooding?
This episode features interviews with Thames Water's Head of Waste Operations Tim Davies, catchment management expert Alex Nickson, seventh-generation waterman Chris Livett, and Sir Peter Bazalgette.
Listen to Thames Unfiltered, brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control.
Next episode: Lucy puts Thames Water director, Cathryn Ross, in the hot seat. She asks the questions Londoners want answered: bills, bonuses, sewage, and the future ownership of the company.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered.
In the third episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin explores the engineering marvel that is London’s sewer network.
After the Great Stink of 1858 and cholera outbreaks that forced politicians to act, the Victorian system was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette in the mid-20th century.
That same Victorian system still serves London today.
Lucy pays a visit to Abbey Mills Pumping Station, or “Poo Palace”, to find out what happens when a 150-year-old system is pushed beyond the limits its creator could have imagined.
This episode features interviews with the “Queen of London’s Poo”, Dina Gillespie, and Sir Peter Bazalgette, great-great-grandson of Joseph Bazalgette.
Listen to Thames Unfiltered, brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control.
Next episode: We investigate whether the Tideway Tunnel — London's £5 billion "super sewer" — is delivering on its promise to reduce sewage pollution and relieve pressure on the Victorian network beneath the capital.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered.
In the second episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin asks the question:
What does clean really mean?
The River Thames is healthier than it was decades ago, with wildlife returning to parts of the river once declared biologically dead.
But beneath the surface, the picture is far more complicated.
In this episode, Lucy speaks to scientists, campaigners and conservationists about how river health is measured.
From real-time sewage maps and wet wipe pollution to seahorses, porpoises and harbour seals, we discover that a healthy Thames isn't necessarily a pristine one — it's a living, thriving ecosystem.
Listen to Thames Unfiltered, brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control.

Next episode: We go inside Abbey Mills pumping station — London's historic "Poo Palace" — to explore the Victorian engineering miracle that transformed the capital and still carries its waste more than 150 years later.

We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.