High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The London sewerage system is part of the water infrastructure serving London. The modern system was developed during the late 19th century, but as London has grown the system has been expanded and needs further investment.During the early 19th century the River Thames was an open sewer, with disastrous consequences for public health in London, including numerous cholera epidemics. These were caused by enterotoxin-producing strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Proposals to modernise the sewerage system had been made during 1856, but were neglected due to lack of funds. However, after The Great Stink of 1858, Parliament realised the urgency of the problem and resolved to create a modern sewerage system.