Thames Unfiltered

The Standard
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The podcast investigates what clean really means, who should be responsible for river health and what the future of the Thames looks like for every Londoner. How it has shaped our city in the past and how it will continue to shape its future. The podcast speaks not only to those who know, look after and use the river – from citizen scientists to swimmers, but also Thames Water’s detractors, such as politician Ed Davey and critical campaign groups, plus boots on the ground and senior Thames Water employees. We uncover the true story of London’s central waterway, and answer a central question – how clean is our river, really? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 6: The Future of the Thames

    We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered. In the sixth and final episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin explores what lies ahead for the River Thames. The river is cleaner than it once was, but it remains under pressure from climate change, population growth, pollution and rising demand for water. Lucy investigates the big questions that will shape the Thames in the decades ahead: Who should be responsible for protecting it? Can the river cope with a growing population and hotter summers? Will major infrastructure projects secure London's water supply? And what are the new threats emerging? Find out in this final episode of Thames Unfiltered. Thames Unfiltered is brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. 1d ago

    Episode 5: Thames Water in the Hot Seat

    We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered. In the fifth episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin examines the growing controversy surrounding Thames Water. Lucy sits down with the Strategy and External Affairs Director of Thames Water, Cathryn Ross, to ask the questions we all want answering: Why are our water bills going up? Why is there still sewage in the river Thames? Why is Thames Water in so much debt? And is it going to be nationalised? Find out in this episode of Thames Unfiltered. Thames Unfiltered is brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control. Next episode: In our final episode, Lucy explores the future of the River Thames. From climate change and population growth to forever chemicals, Lucy tells us what will determine the health of London's most important waterway for generations to come. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. 1d ago

    Episode 4: Inside London's Super Sewer

    We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered. In the fourth episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin investigates the Tideway Tunnel — the vast engineering project built beneath the River Thames to tackle London's sewage pollution problem. Following decades of sewage spills into the river, the £4.6 billion "super sewer" was designed to capture millions of tonnes of wastewater that would otherwise overflow into the Thames during heavy rainfall. But while the tunnel is reducing pollution, can it protect London from the increasing threat of flash flooding? This episode features interviews with Thames Water's Head of Waste Operations Tim Davies, catchment management expert Alex Nickson, seventh-generation waterman Chris Livett, and Sir Peter Bazalgette. Listen to Thames Unfiltered, brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control. Next episode: Lucy puts Thames Water director, Cathryn Ross, in the hot seat. She asks the questions Londoners want answered: bills, bonuses, sewage, and the future ownership of the company.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. 1d ago

    Episode 3: The Victorian Sewer That Built Modern London

    We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered. In the third episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin explores the engineering marvel that is London’s sewer network. After the Great Stink of 1858 and cholera outbreaks that forced politicians to act, the Victorian system was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette in the mid-20th century. That same Victorian system still serves London today. Lucy pays a visit to Abbey Mills Pumping Station, or “Poo Palace”, to find out what happens when a 150-year-old system is pushed beyond the limits its creator could have imagined. This episode features interviews with the “Queen of London’s Poo”, Dina Gillespie, and Sir Peter Bazalgette, great-great-grandson of Joseph Bazalgette. Listen to Thames Unfiltered, brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control. Next episode: We investigate whether the Tideway Tunnel — London's £5 billion "super sewer" — is delivering on its promise to reduce sewage pollution and relieve pressure on the Victorian network beneath the capital. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. 1d ago

    Episode 2: What Does Clean Really Mean?

    We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered. . In the second episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin asks the question: What does clean really mean? The River Thames is healthier than it was decades ago, with wildlife returning to parts of the river once declared biologically dead.  But beneath the surface, the picture is far more complicated. In this episode, Lucy speaks to scientists, campaigners and conservationists about how river health is measured. From real-time sewage maps and wet wipe pollution to seahorses, porpoises and harbour seals, we discover that a healthy Thames isn't necessarily a pristine one — it's a living, thriving ecosystem. Listen to Thames Unfiltered, brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control. Next episode: We go inside Abbey Mills pumping station — London's historic "Poo Palace" — to explore the Victorian engineering miracle that transformed the capital and still carries its waste more than 150 years later. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. 1d ago

    Episode 1: How Healthy is the Thames?

    We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered. In the first episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin asks the question: How healthy is the Thames today? Since being declared biologically dead in the mid-20th century, we explore the state of the Thames today, and who and what will impact its future. We examine the role of Thames Water, the impact of climate change and population growth, the importance of the river’s tributaries and ecosystems, and whether major projects like London’s £5 billion “super sewer” - the Tideway Tunnel - can help secure the river’s future. As the debate over Britain's waterways intensifies, this episode sets the scene for a series exploring one of the country's most important rivers—and everything that depends on it. Listen to Thames Unfiltered, brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control. Next episode: What exactly is in the Thames? We investigate the pollutants, runoff and hidden contaminants affecting river health, and ask what "clean water" really means. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • 6 Episodes

About

The podcast investigates what clean really means, who should be responsible for river health and what the future of the Thames looks like for every Londoner. How it has shaped our city in the past and how it will continue to shape its future. The podcast speaks not only to those who know, look after and use the river – from citizen scientists to swimmers, but also Thames Water’s detractors, such as politician Ed Davey and critical campaign groups, plus boots on the ground and senior Thames Water employees. We uncover the true story of London’s central waterway, and answer a central question – how clean is our river, really? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    The Standard
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Standard
  • Show Website
    Thames Unfiltered