Investment in wastewater site helps Thames win prize

Investment in the capital's wastewater works has helped the River Thames win an environmental prize.

Earlier this week, the Environment Agency revealed that the iconic river was awarded the International Theiss River Prize for its "outstanding achievement" in restoration.

It beat off competition from the Yellow River in China and the Hattah Lakes in Australia among other famous waterways.

According to Thames Water's external affairs and sustainability director Richard Aylard, investment in sewage treatment works in the capital is to thank for cleaning up the Thames and securing this award.

He stated: "There is now a much greater diversity of wildlife in the river."

Mr Aylard added that investment in sewage treatment and cleaning up the river's wastewater needs to be maintained.

"Delivering our London Tideway Improvements programme is now essential to tackle the increasingly frequent overflows of sewage into the river," he commented.

Thames Water recently announced its plans to reduce the amount of wastewater put into the River Thames as part of its proposals to build a tunnel to divert the sewage away from the water.

Posted by Lauren Steadman