Gatwick Airport experienced a major water supply failure on July 26, 2026, leaving passengers without access to working toilets and forcing the closure of bars and restaurants.
Key facts
A power outage at Bough Beech Water Treatment Works caused the disruption.
Passengers reported being unable to access hot drinks, wash hands, or fill water bottles.
Gatwick Airport provided bottled water to travelers during the outage.
The issue affected water supplies in both terminals and parts of Sussex and Kent.
Why it matters: This incident highlights the vulnerabilities in infrastructure during peak travel times, especially at one of the UK's busiest airports.
Gatwick serves over 42 million passengers annually, making efficient operations imperative.
Travelers expect reliable services, particularly during the busy summer holiday season.
The disruption may lead to longer-term reputational damage for the airport.
Driving the news: The crisis began early Sunday morning when a power outage at the Bough Beech Water Treatment Works led to a drop in water pressure, affecting Gatwick and surrounding areas.
Problems were first reported at 6:00 AM, with the airport confirming the situation around 11:00 AM.
Both the North and South terminals were impacted, resulting in toilets that could not flush and closed restaurants.
Passengers shared their frustrations on social media, with many expressing concern over the lack of communication from the airport.
State of play: As the situation unfolded, SES Water worked to restore service, but complications meant that water was not immediately available even after power was restored.
By 2:00 PM, SES Water announced that the treatment works were operational again, but it would take time to fully restore normal service.
Passengers were offered bottled water, though some, like Paul Lee, reported not seeing any distribution efforts.
Lee said, "For people who need to go to the toilet, this isn’t good," highlighting the urgency of the situation for those waiting for flights.
The big picture: The incident raises questions about the resilience of utility services and their impact on public facilities, particularly in high-traffic areas like airports.
With the airport operating near capacity, any disruption can lead to widespread inconvenience.
Michael Dugher, a former MP, criticized the lack of seating as passengers were forced to sit on the floor due to closed restaurants and bars.
Dugher urged the airport to open closed spaces for additional seating to accommodate stranded travelers.
What they're saying: Responses from the public and officials reveal the extent of frustration and concern over the outage.
Julia Hartley-Brewer, a TalkTV presenter, highlighted the severity of the situation on social media, noting the lack of running water throughout the airport.
Passengers expressed disbelief at the circumstances, with one stating, "This is ridiculous!" as they faced long waits without basic amenities.
Airport officials apologized for the inconvenience, emphasizing their commitment to passenger welfare during the crisis.
By the numbers: The power outage's timing coincided with one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Gatwick Airport is the second busiest in London and operates at near capacity, serving millions of travelers.
The water supply issues affected both terminals, leading to closures of multiple food and beverage outlets.
SES Water indicated that the outage affected several postcode areas, including TN11, RH1, RH6, and RH10.
What's next: As water supply issues are addressed, Gatwick Airport will likely implement measures to prevent future disruptions.
SES Water is expected to provide updates on the restoration of services and any long-term improvements being planned.
Gatwick may review its contingency plans to handle similar incidents more effectively in the future.
Passengers are advised to check for updates before traveling to the airport, especially during peak periods.