Sewage plans 'will help reduce London's wastewater'

London's wastewater problem can be helped if plans to produce a tunnel in the River Thames go ahead.

This is according to environment secretary Caroline Spelman, who earlier this week remarked that building tunnels that take sewage away from the capital's water supply was a positive move in improving the water quality of the Thames.

She stated: "A tunnel continues to offer by far the most cost-effective solution to the unacceptable problem of raw sewage being regularly discharged into the Thames."

As well as constructing tunnels, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs revealed that the proposals include improvements to London's sewage treatment networks, which were designed in the 19th century.

Thames Water is set to launch a consultation on the tunnel, which could reduce the amount of wastewater that is pumped into the river every year.

Ms Spelman has also previously campaigned for the reduction of other waste products and in July 2010 called for households, councils and businesses to submit their opinions on how to achieve a zero waste economy.

Posted by Lauren Steadman