Then and now
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'1600-1800' - Development of supplies for London
In the early 1600s the New River was created to meet rising demand for water in London. This was a 40-mile channel which carried water from springs in Hertfordshire to Islington in North London.
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'1800-1900' - The Great Stink
In 1858 the stench of sewage from the River Thames was so bad that MP's suspended Parliament. The period is referred to as 'The Great Stink'.
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'1900-1989' - Water treatment and privatisation
The standard of drinking water improved between 1910 and 1916 following the introduction of water chlorination and further advances in the treatment and supply of water.
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'1989-1995' - Investment
Since privatisation, Thames Water has increased spending on services and infrastructure to improve the quality and reliability of drinking water - leading to the construction of the London Ring Main.
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'1995-2001' - International expansion
In 1995 Thames Water expaned internationally becoming the world's third largest water company. International customers benefited from the company's expertise, while service continued to improve in the UK as well.
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'2001-2006' - Joining the RWE Group
In 2001 Thames Water was aquired by multi-utility, RWE.
Thames Water became RWE's Water Division, taking control of its water and wastewater operations worldwide, and RWE's existing water operations in Germany and Eastern Europe.
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December 2006 - New management rings the changes
Thames Water was acquired by Kemble Water Limited, a consortium of institutional investors managed by the Macquarie Capital Funds (Europe) Limited, on 1 December 2006.
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March 2007 - London Tideway Tunnels approved
The Government approved plans for the London Tideway Tunnels, which will prevent sewer discharges entering the River Thames during heavy rainfall.
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June 2007 - Best ever water quality
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) confirmed that Thames Water's tap water is at its best ever quality, meeting 99.97 per cent of stringent tests. We carry out almost half a million tests throughout the year to check the quality of our water.
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July 2007 - London Ring Main extensions commence
Construction to extend the London Ring Main started, with works commencing at Honor Oak to construct the first of four shafts. From May 2008 tunnelling will commence to construct two tunnels on both sides of the Thames.
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September 2007 - Cleaning up the River Thames
Thames Water officially unveiled two skimmer vessels - the first of their kind - as an interim measure to improve the environmental and aesthetic quality of the River Thames prior to the completion of the Tideway Tunnel.
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December 2007 - Tap water rated top for taste
Experts rated Thames' tap water above more than 20 bottled brands in a 'blind' taste test organised by wine magazine, Decanter.
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December 2007 - New technology to tackle leakage
Leakfrog - a leakage detection device invented by Thames Water boffins - was launched to help reduce customer leakage. The gadget will boost our programme of leakage reduction, by detecting the amount of water escaping from customers' pipes - which currently accounts for a quarter of all water lost in our supply area.
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February 2008 - London On Tap campaign
Thames Water teamed up with the Mayor of London to launch London On Tap. The aim of the campaign is to remove the stigma attached when ordering tap water in London's bars and restaurants, while also promoting the excellent quality of tap water.
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April 2008 - Victorian mains replacement
Since 2004 we have been undertaking an extensive programme of Victorian mains replacement in London. Currently working in 580 streets, we have now laid more than 1000 kilometres of mains.
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June 2008 - present - Construction of desalination plant
Work has begun on building the UK's first desalination plant in Beckton, converting brackish water from the River Thames into clean drinking water.
