Passengers at London Gatwick faced severe disruption on Sunday, July 26, after a water supply failure left both terminals without working toilets, hand-washing facilities or drinking-water fountains.
Flights continued to operate, but the loss of running water forced restaurants, cafés, bars and lounges to close. Bottled water was made available as airport officials and SES Water worked to manage the incident during the busy summer travel period.
What happened at Gatwick Airport?
The water problem began in the wider Horley area and affected Gatwick’s North and South terminals. Toilets could not be flushed, sinks could not be used for hand washing and passengers were unable to refill bottles from airport water fountains.
Food and drink services were also disrupted because businesses could not safely prepare meals, make hot drinks, wash equipment or maintain required hygiene standards. Passengers reported being unable to buy coffee, while restaurants, bars and airport lounges closed. Shops reportedly remained open.
Gatwick apologised and said contingency measures were being introduced to protect passenger welfare. Staff were instructed to distribute bottled water across the airport, although some travellers said supplies and announcements were not immediately visible in every part of the terminals.
What caused the Gatwick water outage?
SES Water said a power outage at its Bough Beech Water Treatment Works caused several complications that interrupted the network. Customers experienced either low water pressure or a temporary complete loss of supply.
The disruption was not confined to Gatwick. SES Water identified TN8, TN11 and parts of the RH1, RH6 and RH10 postcode areas as affected. Residents in Horley and the wider Gatwick area also reported losing water.
The company’s official network update said engineers were working to return the treatment works to service. SES Water had not provided a firm restoration time in its 1pm statement.
Timeline of the disruption
SES Water first reported a problem at Bough Beech Water Treatment Works at 6am on July 26, warning that customers were experiencing low pressure or no supply.
At 10am, the company said it had started delivering bottled water to vulnerable customers on its Priority Services Register.
By 1pm, SES Water confirmed that Gatwick Airport was affected and attributed the continuing problem to complications caused by the treatment works power outage. It said teams were working with the airport to restore normal service.
Are Gatwick flights cancelled?
The airport said flights were unaffected by the water failure. Gatwick remained open, with arrivals and departures continuing from both terminals.
That does not guarantee every service will leave on schedule. Passengers should check directly with their airline, particularly because airport operations can change quickly during disruption. Travellers can see how airlines communicate affected services in this guide to airport flight delays and cancellations.
People driving to Gatwick should also monitor road conditions before leaving home. Earlier disruption involving an M23 closure near Gatwick Airport showed how problems on the airport’s main access route can add further delays to a journey.
What has EasyJet told passengers?
EasyJet temporarily changed its Gatwick bag-drop arrangements. Desks were opening two hours before departure instead of the usual three hours.
The airline advised customers not to arrive earlier because they would be unable to drop off checked luggage or enter the departure lounge until bag drop opened. Passengers using other airlines should check whether their carrier has introduced similar restrictions.
What passengers experienced inside the terminals
Passenger Paul Lee told the BBC that he had not heard announcements explaining the situation and had not seen the bottled water mentioned by the airport. He said the lack of toilets could become increasingly serious for people remaining at Gatwick for several hours.
Former MP and former UK Music chief executive Michael Dugher also criticised the loss of seating. He urged the airport to let passengers use chairs inside closed restaurants and bars, saying families were having to sit on the floor.
These accounts show that the disruption extended beyond inconvenience. Limited toilets, water, food and seating can create particular difficulties for children, older travellers, pregnant passengers and people with medical conditions or disabilities.
Where can passengers get water?
Gatwick said bottled water was being distributed to passengers and staff in both terminals. Anyone unable to locate a distribution point should speak to an airport employee, airline representative or special-assistance team.
Passengers can take an empty reusable bottle through airport security, but refill fountains may remain unavailable until the supply returns. Travellers bringing liquids through security must follow the restrictions operating in their particular security lane.
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What should travellers do before arriving?
- Check the latest flight status directly with the airline.
- Follow the airline’s recommended arrival and bag-drop time.
- Do not arrive unusually early, especially when flying with EasyJet.
- Carry suitable food because restaurants may remain closed.
- Keep medication and essential supplies in hand luggage.
- Ask staff where bottled water and usable toilet facilities are available.
- Allow extra preparation when travelling with children or vulnerable passengers.
Can passengers claim compensation?
The water outage alone does not automatically give every passenger a right to compensation. UK flight compensation generally depends on whether a flight is cancelled or arrives significantly late, what caused the disruption and whether the event was within the airline’s control.
Passengers who face a cancellation or long delay should request written information from their airline. Anyone paying for reasonable additional food, transport or accommodation should keep itemised receipts and check reimbursement rights with the airline and travel insurer.
Until Gatwick or SES Water confirms full restoration, travellers should prepare for restricted terminal services even when their flight remains scheduled.
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