A water supply failure at Gatwick airport has left passengers without access to working toilets, bars, or restaurants, causing significant disruption on Sunday. The problem, which also affected parts of Sussex and Kent, led to bottled water being distributed to travellers while engineers worked to restore supplies.
Impact on passengers and facilities
Passengers reported being unable to obtain hot drinks, wash their hands, or fill water bottles at the airport. Social media posts described the situation as "ridiculous" and noted that many toilets were closed. The TalkTV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer posted on X: "If you're on your way to Gatwick airport, it might be helpful to know that there is no running water across the entire airport. That means no coffees, no water fountains, no flushing toilets and no hand washing."
Roger Wood, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, arrived at the south terminal around 11am to fly to New York. He told reporters: "There was no communication. We arrived at 11ish and it had only started recently. We met friends at the bar but they couldn't serve us as they were unable to wash their hands. I've never seen Wetherspoons empty. No idea when it'll be resolved. The toilets also lacked water to wash hands."
Airport and water company response
A statement from Gatwick 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. We will provide further updates and apologise for any inconvenience to passengers."
The water utility company SES Water said: "We are currently experiencing interruptions to water supplies in parts of the TN11, RH1, RH6 and RH10 postcode areas. Our teams are on site and working to restore supplies as quickly and safely as possible. Customers in some areas may experience low pressure or no water while recovery work is completed."
Wider impact and public reaction
The former MP and recently appointed government "music champion" Michael Dugher wrote on social media: "At least allow people to use the chairs in all the closed restaurants and bars. No water is one thing, but depriving people of somewhere to sit is another … Families are having to sit on the floor."
On Facebook, one user posted: "Gasping for a drink & crossing my legs right now. This is ridiculous! Gatwick airport has shut all restaurants and most toilets due to a water outage. Not a great start to the holiday." The disruption affected both terminals, with all restaurants and bars unable to serve drinks due to the lack of running water.
