Gatwick Airport experienced a significant water outage on the morning of July 26, 2026, disrupting services for passengers and staff. The disruption prevented passengers from flushing toilets, washing their hands, and refilling water bottles across both the North and South Terminals.
Restaurants and bars within the airport were reportedly closed, and kiosks were unable to serve coffee due to the lack of running water. Airport staff distributed bottled water to keep travelers hydrated. Premade meals, such as sandwiches, remained available, but hot food services were halted.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport stated that the issue was related to a water problem in the Horley area and was under investigation. Contingency measures were being implemented to ensure passenger welfare. Flights departing from the airport were not affected by the outage.
SES Water, the utility provider serving the airport, confirmed an issue at its Bough Beech Water Treatment Works, leading to low water pressure or a complete loss of supply for some customers. The company apologized for the inconvenience and stated that efforts were underway to restore normal service. Vulnerable customers were reportedly receiving bottled water.
Residents in the nearby town of Horley also reported water supply failures. Some passengers expressed frustration over the lack of timely communication from airport authorities regarding the outage. Reports indicated that official announcements about the problem were delayed, with some passengers only being informed hours after the disruption began. The scale of the outage led to widespread passenger complaints, with some likening the situation to conditions in a developing country.