Why Does Britain Have a Water and Sewage Crisis?

The discharge of raw sewage into rivers, as well as major water companies’ financial problems, have become serious political and social concerns for the public. British cities have faced similar challenges in the past, most notoriously the ‘Great Stink’ in London in 1858 that led to the construction of Bazalgette’s sewer. Then in the nineteenth century, many cities adopted ‘gas and water socialism’, taking utilities into public ownership. This lecture asks, why did this happen, and through assessing the current system of regulated private ownership, also asks, should there be a return to public ownership?

A lecture by  Professor Martin Daunton

This event is also available to watch live online. To register, visit:  gres.hm/britain-water-crisis

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