How a sweltering London summer forced a revolution in urban sanitation

History · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the summer of 1858, extreme heat turned the River Thames into a source of unbearable pollution, finally compelling the city of London to confront its sewage crisis.

This video examines the impact of a particularly hot June in 1858, which exacerbated the pollution levels in the River Thames. This environmental crisis acted as a catalyst, forcing London to finally address its long-standing sewage and sanitation issues.

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