Gatwick Airport faced severe disruption on July 26, 2026, after a water supply failure left both terminals without running water. The issue, caused by low pressure and loss of supply, rendered toilets unusable, drinking fountains dry, and prevented cafés and restaurants from serving beverages.
Airport statement and passenger frustration
In a statement on X, Gatwick Airport said: 'A water issue in the Horley area is causing disruption at the airport this morning. The problem is affecting water supply in both terminals and is currently under investigation. Bottled water is being made available to passengers and staff across the airport and other contingency measures are being put in place to ensure the welfare of our passengers.' The announcement was made just before 11am, but many passengers criticized the timing and communication.
Passenger @Paulx3qq2 tweeted: 'This came way too late. And even now there’s no announcement yet at the airport. Chaos, passengers don’t know what’s going on. Is the management team on leave or what’s going on?' Another user, @Liamnicholson82, added: 'You haven’t even told the passengers in the terminal what’s going on and you post this on here?'
Public health concerns
@RealRotator highlighted the public health risk, noting that the lack of water prevented handwashing in bathrooms. SES Water, which supplies Surrey, West Sussex, Kent, and South London, reported an issue at its Bough Beech Water Treatment Works, affecting customers in TN8, TN11, and parts of RH1. Bottled water is being delivered to vulnerable and priority-registered residents as crews work to restore supply.
