and more people means more waste. every time you flush or run water, the water runs into a series of pipes more than nine miles long. when the drains flood, raw sewage spills directly into river thames. it means 39 million tonnes of raw sewage flow into the river every year. the super sewer will divert as much as 95% of the spill directly to a treatment plant, helping to keep the river clean. and after today, london s super sewer will be one step closer to completion. under construction since 2016, the tens tideway will ease the pressure on the capital s ageing sewer network. the tunnel will be operational in 2025, delayed a year by covid lockdowns and social distancing. it does not come cheap, londoners will face higher bills to meet the costs, but should gain clear pipes and a