There was chaos at London Gatwick Airport this Sunday morning. Because of the energy outage, the water provide to each terminals was reduce off for some motive, leaving passengers unable to flush bathrooms, wash their fingers, or eat correct drinks. Cafes and eating places had been additionally closed, decreasing the variety of seats out there for passengers ready for gates to open.
SES Water’s Beech remedy works had been disrupted, chopping off water provide to the airport and components of Kent and Surrey. Bars and eating places are closing their doorways as a result of employees cannot wash their fingers or use faucets. Shops promoting processed meals remained open, however common Nando’s, Wetherspoons and low spots needed to stay closed. Bottled water was being handed out, however many passengers stated they noticed little of it early on.
There have been strains exterior the few out there restrooms. Chairs at closed bars, cafes and eating places had been locked, so some individuals ended up sitting on the ground.
Water loss/low stress renewal
As a result of a variety of issues brought on by the facility outage at our Bo Buna water remedy plant, some prospects are experiencing decreased water stress and momentary lack of provide.
We’re working to beat these complexities and restore…
— SES Water (@SESWater) July 26
Passengers vent their anger at X
TalkTV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer posted early on: “In case you’re in your option to @Gatwick, it is likely to be useful to know that there is not any working water all through the airport. Meaning no espresso, no water fountains, no flushing bathrooms, and no hand washing. Gatwick would not trouble asserting this to passengers. How useful…”
In case you’re in your option to @Gatwick_Airport, it is likely to be useful to know that there is no such thing as a working water all through the airport.
Meaning no espresso, no consuming fountains, no flushing bathrooms, and no hand washing.
Gatwick hasn’t bothered to publicize this…
— Julia Hartley Brewer (@JuliaHB1) July 26, 2026
@justnaomiyeh (12:48) stated: “In fact you must go when Gatwick has no working water or flush bathrooms all day. I am unable to wait to pee on the airport.”
Posted by @MrJosephSmythe. “Nice, I want quantity 2 now!” What ought to I do? “
Oh, nice, now I want quantity 2! What ought to I do?
— Mr. Joseph Smythe (@MrJosephSmythe) July 26, 2026
@Anna__Edwards (15:27) responded to the airport replace and stated: “There have been individuals right here for the reason that canceled flight at 11:40 a.m., ready till 9 p.m. for one more flight, and now there are not any bathrooms!”
Former Congressman Michael Dugar added: “At the very least be sure that individuals can use the chairs in all of the eating places and bars which might be closed. Not having water is one factor, however depriving individuals of a spot to sit down is one other factor…Households have to sit down on the ground…”
This was additionally so dangerous even by Gatwick requirements that some puzzled why the airport administration had not provide you with a plan B for the scenario.
Airports and water firms scramble to resolve points
Gatwick stated its employees had been aiding passengers and a few of its closed eating places had been open solely to make room for extra seats. “There’s presently no working water in both terminal. Our employees are on standby to help passengers and supply help if wanted,” the airport stated, including that it was working with SES Water to get the scenario again to regular.
SES Water confirmed energy was restored by mid-afternoon and groups handled the water earlier than full provide returned. Low stress techniques and water outages additionally hit houses in components of Kent and Surrey. Flights continued to function, though some baggage check-in instances had been shortened and early arrivals discouraged.
The issue could final for a very long time – attempt to kind out your emotions at house first.
There isn’t any set finish date for SES water and the remedy course of could take a while. The chaos might final for a number of days.
Water points within the Holly area are inflicting disruption on the airport this morning. The difficulty is affecting water provide at each terminals and is presently below investigation.
Bottled water is offered to passengers and employees at airports and different places. pic.twitter.com/6B1EgvSwfu
— London Gatwick LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) July 26, 2026
When you have a ticket within the subsequent few days, please take the fundamental steps earlier than leaving house. Use the restroom, wash totally, fill a reusable bottle with water, and seize a snack that you would be able to eat with out water. When you arrive on the terminal, anticipate finding restricted services and count on an extended wait close to the restrooms.
Gatwick Airport stays the UK’s second busiest airport. Passengers are used to the unusual troubles, however the complete water outage at each terminals on a busy Sunday left many fed up and wishing they’d sorted out their necessities at house first.
Extra journey information
