Business journalist Lucy Tobin hosts the six-part podcast series Thames Unfiltered, exploring the River Thames, its problems, and potential solutions. The series is produced by The Standard in association with Thames Water, under editorial control.
Episode 1: How Healthy is the Thames?
In the first episode, Tobin asks how healthy the Thames is today. Since being declared biologically dead in the mid-20th century, the episode examines the river's current state, the role of Thames Water, climate change, population growth, tributaries, and the £5 billion Tideway Tunnel super sewer.
Episode 2: What Does Clean Really Mean?
Episode two explores how river health is measured. Despite wildlife returning, the episode covers sewage maps, wet wipe pollution, and the presence of seahorses, porpoises, and harbour seals, highlighting that a healthy Thames is not necessarily pristine but a living ecosystem.
Episode 3: The Victorian Sewer That Built Modern London
Episode three delves into London's Victorian sewer network designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette after the Great Stink of 1858. Tobin visits Abbey Mills Pumping Station and interviews the “Queen of London’s Poo”, Dina Gillespie, and Sir Peter Bazalgette, great-great-grandson of Joseph Bazalgette.
Episode 4: Inside London's Super Sewer
Episode four investigates the Tideway Tunnel, a £4.6 billion super sewer built to capture wastewater during heavy rainfall. Interviews include Thames Water's head of waste operations Tim Davies, catchment management expert Alex Nickson, waterman Chris Livett, and Sir Peter Bazalgette.
Episode 5: Thames Water in the Hot Seat
In episode five, Tobin interviews Cathryn Ross, strategy and external affairs director of Thames Water, questioning rising bills, sewage in the river, debt, and potential nationalisation.
Episode 6: The Future of the Thames
The final episode examines future challenges: climate change, population growth, pollution, and water demand. It asks who should protect the river, whether infrastructure can secure supply, and what new threats are emerging.
