Beckton Sewage Works, Precipitation Lanes and Re-Aeration Lanes

Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out archaeological and historical analysis at Beckton Sewage Works on behalf of Scott Wilson (consultants for Thames Water).The overall aim of the project was to investigate and record the structures of historical interest prior to their demolition. This site is of importance as it forms part of Joseph Bazalgette’s London’s sewage system. This was a grand scheme designed to clear the chronically polluted river and carry sewage out of the city. The original works at Beckton were constructed in the 1860s and form the end of the Northern Outfall. In 1887 precipitation lanes were constructed to treat the sewage chemically and the sludge was removed in ships and dumped at sea. These structures as well as the valve and pump rooms are the main focus of this study. In the 1960s the eastern section of these lanes were largely demolished to form reaeration lanes and this later modification forms a secondary focus of the report. This work is required prior to the development of the new Thames Gateway Water Treatment Plant (TGWTP) at the site.