Full Breakdown
Gatwick Airport Water Outage Disrupts Passenger Services on July 26, 2026
7/27/2026, 1:48:12 AM
Water Supply Failure Halts Toilets and Restaurants
On the morning of July 26, 2026, a power failure at the Bough Beech Water Treatment Works, operated by SES Water, caused a loss of water pressure across the Horley area. The outage affected both terminals of London Gatwick Airport, Britain’s second-busiest airport. Toilets stopped flushing, hand-washing stations were offline, and all restaurants and bars closed. Flights continued, but passengers faced long queues for the few functional restrooms and a shortage of seating.
Background & Context
SES Water supplies water to parts of Kent, Surrey, South London and the Horley area surrounding Gatwick. The plant was later reported to be back up, but water had to be treated before normal pressure could be restored.
Timeline
- Morning, July 26 – Power outage at Bough Beech triggers loss of water pressure; toilets and food outlets cease operation.
- Shortly after – Gatwick Airport posts on X: “A water issue in the Horley area is causing disruption at the airport this morning.”
- Afternoon – SES Water confirms the treatment works are operational but notes that water must be treated before full service resumes.
Data & Statistics
- SES Water serves postcode districts TN8, TN11 (Kent) and RH1, RH6, RH10 (Surrey).
- The outage impacted all restroom facilities and every food-service outlet that requires running water.
Impact on Passengers
Michael Dugher, a former Member of Parliament, urged the airport to open chairs in the closed restaurants and bars, saying families were forced to sit on the floor.
Official Statements & Responses
- EasyJet announced a temporary change to bag-drop procedures: “Due to a water supply issue affecting London Gatwick Airport, bag drop desks are temporarily opening two hours before departure instead of three hours.”
Criticism & Opposition
Former MP Michael Dugher criticized the airport’s handling of passenger seating, urging the use of chairs in closed venues.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
BBC reporter Adam Dowling noted a flight delay and landing-slot adjustments to reduce congestion, while other outlets reported that flight operations remained largely unaffected. No definitive data on the number of delayed flights has been provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m taking off soon, so that’s fine, but for passengers in a few hours, this will be bad.” — Michael Dugher
- “We will provide further updates and apologise for any inconvenience to passengers.” — SES Water
- “Our staff are on hand to support passengers and provide assistance where needed, some restaurant partners have opened to provide additional seating.” — Gatwick spokesperson
The outage underscores the vulnerability of major transport hubs to external utility failures. Water service was gradually restored by evening, but passenger welfare concerns and communication gaps highlighted areas for improvement in airport contingency planning.
