During the summer of 1858 London endured exceptionally high temperatures, and the River Thames began to emit a strong odour that left residents gasping for fresh air. The episode, later dubbed “The Great Stink”, entered the city’s historical record and highlighted the dire state of the capital’s sanitation. In response, authorities commissioned the construction of a modern sewage system, a development that reshaped London’s infrastructure. The account is drawn from a report published by Deutsche Welle.
1858 Heatwave Triggers ‘Great Stink’ and Spurs London Sewage Overhaul
Extreme summer temperatures in 1858 caused the Thames to emit a foul odour, prompting the infamous Great Stink and leading to a modern sewage system.
