Ten locations across London have been singled out for cash that will be used to clean up waterways and promote wild swimming.
A total of £1.8 billion has been pledged by water companies, boroughs and charities, with City Hall adding a further £2.7 million across three years on top of the £13.6 million already promised.
The money will be used to build new parks, clean up waterways and improve wildlife habitats.
Sir Sadiq told the Standard: “We’ve identified 10 locations across our city where we want to see swift progress.
“Swift progress in reducing pollution, swift progress in reviving nature, but also swift progress in revitalising and restoring access for local communities to those blue and green spaces.”
Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Mete Coban, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Tottenham MP David Lammy visit West Reservoir in Hackney
ES
The ten areas which will receive cash are:
Barnet, Brent, Harrow, Ealing, Hounslow
Sewage pollution will be minimised by removing incorrectly installed plumbing pipes, alongside new opportunities for walking and a better environment for wildlife in the West London Regional Park, a new marathon-length park spanning four London boroughs.
A major rewilding programme will be introduced to restore the brook to a more natural state, creating a biodiverse riverbank.
Enfield, Haringey, Waltham Forest
Sections of lost rivers are set to be restored alongside a natural ,sustainable drainage system to reduce river pollution and flood risk.
The River Brent at Elthorne Park in Ealing
Google Maps
Lower Lea Valley and Royal Docks
The waterfront will be restored to improve access for water sports, including swimming.
Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham
Canal towpaths and the waterside will be regenerated to enable better access to the canal and more water based sports and activities.
Salmons Brook and Pymmes Brook
Wetlands will be created to reduce pollution and risk of flooding.
Newham, Barking and Dagenham
Access to the riverside will be improved, alongside habitat restoration and water quality monitoring.
Croydon, Bromley, Lewisham
Wildlife habitats and improve access along the river, restoring sections of the river to its natural state.
Croydon, Wandsworth, Sutton, Merton
The Wandle is a rare 12-mile urban chalk stream flowing from Carshalton to the Thames at Wandsworth
Facundo Arrizabalaga / LDRS
The rare chalk stream in the Wandle Valley Regional Park will be restored and the riverbank restored, creating fish superhighways, improving public access and exploring opportunities to restore lost rivers.
A new 40km riverside trail is set to be created, while the river will be cleaned up and restored to its natural state.