Gatwick stinks! Water crisis shuts toilets and bars at both terminals – passengers warned to sort essentials at home before flying

Absolute chaos hit London Gatwick this Sunday morning as a power failure somehow knocked out the water supply to both terminals, leaving passengers unable to flush toilets, wash hands or get a proper drink. Closed cafés and restaurants also reduced the amount of practical seating for passengers waiting for their gates to open.

SES Water’s Bough Beech treatment works went down, cutting running water across the airport and parts of Kent and Surrey. Bars and restaurants shut their doors because staff could not wash hands or use the taps. Shops selling packaged food stayed open, but the usual Nando’s, Wetherspoons and coffee spots had to stay closed. Bottled water was handed out, yet many passengers said they saw little of it early on.

Queues built up outside the few usable toilets. Some people ended up sitting on the floor because closed bars, cafés and restaurants kept their chairs locked away.

Loss of Water/Low Pressure Update

Due to a number of complications caused by a power outage at our Bough Beech Water Treatment Works, some customers are experiencing low water pressure or a temporary loss of supply.

We are working to overcome those complications and return the…

— SES Water (@SESWater) July 26, 2026

Passengers vent their anger on X

TalkTV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer posted early on: “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. Gatwick hasn’t bothered to make a public announcement about this to passengers. How helpful…”

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.

Gatwick hasn’t bothered to make a public announcement about this…

— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) July 26, 2026

@justnaomiyeh (12:48) said, “Of course I have to go to Gatwick when they have had no running water or flushing toilets all day. Can’t wait to pee myself in the airport.”

@MrJosephSmythe posted, Oh great, now I need a number 2! What should I do?”

Oh great, now I need a number 2! What should I do?

— Mr Joseph Smythe (@MrJosephSmythe) July 26, 2026

@Anna__Edwards (15:27) said, replying to the airport’s update: “And you have had people here since an 11.40am cancelled flight waiting until 9pm for another and no toilets now!”

Former MP Michael Dugher added: “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…”

Others complained that this was very bad, even by Gatwick Airport’s standards, and wondered why no Plan B had been devised for such a situation by the airport management.

Airport and water firm scramble to fix it

Gatwick said staff were helping passengers, and some closed restaurants had opened just for extra seats. “There is currently no water supply in either terminal. Our staff are on hand to support passengers and provide assistance where needed,” the airport stated, adding it was working with SES Water to get things back to normal.

SES Water confirmed the power was restored by mid-afternoon and teams were treating the water before full supply returned. Low pressure or no water also hit homes in parts of Kent and Surrey. Flights kept going, though some bag-drop times were shortened and early arrivals were discouraged.

Problems could drag on – sort yourself out at home first

SES Water has not given a firm end time, and the treatment process can take a while. Disruption may stretch into the next few days.

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… pic.twitter.com/6B1EgvSwfu

— London Gatwick LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) July 26, 2026

Anyone with tickets in the coming days should do the basics before leaving the house. Use the loo, wash thoroughly, fill reusable bottles and grab snacks you can eat without needing water. Expect limited facilities once you reach the terminals and plan for longer waits around the toilets.

Gatwick remains Britain’s second-busiest airport. Passengers are used to the odd hiccup, but a full water cut across both terminals on a busy Sunday has left many fed up and wishing they had sorted the essentials at home first.

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