Sewer System Collection

Philippines, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Philippines, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing
Philippines, 1912. City of Manila - Tondo Pumping Station - Manila Sewer System constructed 1906-1909 - Municipal Board...James Francis Case, Chief Engineer; W. E

Philippines, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Philippines, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing
Philippines, 1912. [Canal or sewage works?]

Bursting of the Fleet Ditch and destruction of part of the Metropolitan Railway... 1862. Creator: Unknown
Bursting of the Fleet Ditch and destruction of part of the Metropolitan Railway: scene of the accident, [London], 1862. Owing to falls in the Fleet sewer the waters had accumulated to a great extent

Roman Wall, Bread-Street-Hill, 1844. Creator: Unknown
Roman Wall, Bread-Street-Hill, 1844. Roman remains found in the City of London during the digging of sewers. Here we see...a portion of one of the more massive walls

The Fleet-Street sewer, 1845. Creator: Unknown
The Fleet-Street sewer, 1845. Underground waste system in London. It appears that although Sewers have been constructed in London for upwards of four centuries

Fleet-Street, deepening the sewer, 1845. Creator: Unknown
Fleet-Street, deepening the sewer, 1845. Workers improving the underground waste system in London, with Temple Bar in the distance....the difficulty of keeping open the traffic

La Bievre, ca. 1865. Creator: Charles Marville
La Bievre, ca. 1865

The Sewer, 1870s. Creator: William P. Chappel
The Sewer, 1870s

Section of the Thames Embarkment, 1867, (c1876). Creator: Unknown
Section of the Thames Embarkment, 1867, (c1876). 19th-century civil engineering project primarily designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette of a low level interceptor sewer

Damaged interior of the underground reservoir, Beckton Sewage Works, London, 1938. Struts supporting a collapsing arch, with part of the roof missing

Building the sewer at Stratford High Street, West Ham, London, 1905. View of the construction of the sewer, with men standing watching in the background

Inside of a sewer, London, 1939. Interior of a sewer showing storm relief gates and a man standing on the walkway

Sewer sluice gates, London, 1939. Interior of a sewer showing the sluice gates

Repair of the Fleet sewer, City of London, 1854. From the Illustrated London News

Interior of the Fleet Ditch at the back of Field Lane, City of London, 1851. Artist
Interior of the Fleet Ditch at the back of Field Lane, City of London, 1851. Showing a man holding a ladder, behind him lies part of a mammals skeleton

Sir Joseph W Bazalgette, 1863. Portrait of the famous civil engineer Joseph Bazalgette who designed the London sewage system, completed in 1875, and the Thames Embankment

Fleet River, London, 1854
Repair of the Fleet sewer, London, 1854

Sewermen going below, London, c1903 (1903). The modern London sewerage system was developed during the late 19th century. From Living London, Vol. II, by George R. Sims

Sir Joseph Bazalgette, CB, British civil engineer, 1877. Artist: Lock & Whitfield
Sir Joseph Bazalgette, CB, British civil engineer, 1877. Bazalgettes major achievements were in the field of public health engineering

Joseph Bazalgette (1819-1891), English civil engineer, 1887. Bazalgettes major achievements were in the field of public health engineering

Brick and Lime Company Factory
Clayton, Washington: c. 1917. The Washington Brick and Lime Companys sewer pipe factory

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Discover the hidden world beneath our feet with these captivating glimpses into the intricate and essential sewer system. From ancient Roman walls to modern-day infrastructure, these images showcase the evolution of this vital network. Step back in time to Bread-Street-Hill in 1844, where an unknown creator captured a momentous scene. Witness the birth of progress as workers deepen Fleet-Street sewer in 1845, immortalized by another anonymous artist. These snapshots offer a glimpse into London's determination to improve its sanitation systems. Travel across borders and witness La Bievre circa 1865 through Charles Marville's lens. Marvel at how different cities tackle their waste management challenges. William P. Chappel's depiction of "The Sewer" in the 1870s transports us further into this subterranean realm. Explore not only London but also other iconic locations like Thames Embankment (c1876), showcasing how sewers intertwine with grand structures along riversides. Delve deeper into history with a haunting image from Beckton Sewage Works' damaged interior in 1938, reminding us that even infrastructures face vulnerability. Witness innovation unfold before your eyes as Stratford High Street's sewer is built in West Ham, London, during 1905 - a testament to human ingenuity and progress against unsanitary conditions plaguing urban areas. Peek inside one of London's sewers through an eerie snapshot from 1939; it serves as a stark reminder that beneath our bustling streets lies an unseen labyrinth silently working for our benefit. Observe meticulously designed sluice gates that control the flow within these underground arteries - captured beautifully by photographers during that same year. Lastly, journey back to City of London in earlier times: marvel at repair work on Fleet sewer (1854) or immerse yourself within Field Lane's Fleet Ditch interior (1851).