In July 1858, Londoners woke up to a horrible smell. For years, human and industrial waste had been dumped directly into the Thames, and scorching summers exacerbated the river’s smell. This event was dubbed “the Great Stink”. It prompted government officials to invest in massive public works and to build London’s modern sewerage system.

This summer, more than 150 years later, another weather event reminded Europe of the importance of reliable urban water infrastructure. The heavy rains that flooded millions of homes in different European countries also damaged water infrastructures, depriving many households and families of drinking water.

With climate change, extreme weather events such as floods and droughts are expected to occur much more frequently. Combined with population growth, this puts a strain on the water infrastructure of cities.

Discover how digital-water.city technologies can help to enhance the water quality of our rivers in our latest Euro news article.