The Guardian reports that according to the Environment Agency millions of gallons of sewage could envelope the London 2012 Olympic park, the Athlete’s Village and the main stadium. A report by the agency says the venues could become a “foul smelling and unsightly mess”.
Two of London’s major sewage overflow pipes, carrying up to 30 per cent of all London’s waste, empty into the river Lee near site of the Olympic Village and the main stadium. But the newspaper reports that an expert group looking at the capacity of London’s drains said even a moderate summer storm would overflow the drains sending sewage back up the river Lee on the tide.
Computer modelling by the Tideway strategy group suggests that the chances of these sewage overflows happening when the Olympics will be in full swing is 99.5 per cent.
The Guardian says the issue may force the government’s hand over the building of a 3.5 billion pound, 22-mile “super-sewer” under the river Thames.
The International Olympic Committee has prioritized environmental issues and London 2012’s bid said the Games would be the “most sustainable Olympics ever”.
