The Broad Street cholera outbreak was a severe outbreak of cholera that occurred near Broad Street in Soho district of London, England in 1854. This outbreak is best known for the discovery that cholera is spread by contaminated water. This discovery came to influence public health and the construction of improved sanitation facilities beginning in the 19th century.
WIKIPEDIA (n.y): 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak. San Francisco: Wikimedia Foundation Inc URL [Accessed: 05.02.2013]