On Sunday, July 26, 2026, London Gatwick Airport experienced a water outage affecting both its North and South terminals. The disruption was caused by a power failure at SES Water’s Bough Beech water treatment works. This outage left the terminals without running water and impacted surrounding areas including parts of Kent, Surrey, and south London.
Airport Facilities and Operations Disrupted by Water Outage
The outage forced the closure of multiple restaurants and bars across both terminals. Several food outlets limited operations to selling packaged meals only. Toilet facilities in many locations became inoperable due to the lack of running water, causing long queues and prompting some closures. Emergency
water supplies were used in some restrooms, but many experienced flushing problems. Gatwick Airport staff were on site assisting passengers and distributing bottled water. Some restaurant partners kept spaces open to provide additional seating amid widespread closures.
Passengers Report Inconveniences and Lack of Information
Passengers faced significant inconveniences during the outage. Passenger Paul Lee noted no official announcements or water distribution had been observed despite the ongoing outage. Former MP Michael Dugher criticized the airport for not allowing access to seating in closed restaurants, pointing out that families were having to sit on the floor. Passenger Roger Wood described all restaurants requiring running water, such as Nando’s
and Wetherspoon, as closed. He added shops and outlets selling packaged food remained open but noted growing frustration over closed bars and limited restroom conditions. Sarah Houchin, delayed on her flight to Greece, described long queues and poor toilet conditions due to closures and lack of flushing capabilities.
Flight Operations Impacted, EasyJet Adjusts Passenger Procedures
The water outage affected flight operations at Gatwick Airport. BBC reporter Adam Dowling reported his flight from Valencia was delayed, with landing slots adjusted to reduce arriving flights and ease pressure on the airport. EasyJet implemented a revised operating procedure advising passengers to avoid early arrivals, temporarily opening bag drop desks two
hours before departure rather than three. The airline instructed travelers not to arrive earlier than necessary since bag drop and departure lounge entry were unavailable until the adjusted time.
Official Statements on Water Restoration Efforts
A spokesperson for SES Water confirmed power restoration at the Bough Beech treatment works but explained water treatment was still required before normal supply could resume. Gatwick Airport acknowledged the outage and apologized for the disruption, stating staff were assisting passengers and some restaurant partners had opened additional seating areas. EasyJet spokesman communicated the temporary change in bag drop timing and requested passengers to arrive only two hours ahead of departure.
The outage affected not only the airport but also parts of Kent, Surrey, and south London, with reports of low water pressure and interruptions in those areas.
