Gatwick Airport restores water supply after main burst disrupts terminals

Gatwick Airport suffered a water outage after a burst main was discovered in a field near Horley, the water company SES Water said on Tuesday. The leak left parts of the airport without running water, forcing the closure of many toilets in the North Terminal while the South Terminal remained largely unaffected. Flights were not disrupted and the airport said it was working closely with SES Water to restore the supply.

SES Water identified a broken water main in the Horley area and began restoring service by rerouting its network. “We have restored water supplies to Gatwick Airport and the surrounding areas by re‑routing our network,” Anthony Rochester, head of networks at SES Water, told the press. “We’re continuing to work closely with the airport as we understand water isn’t yet flowing throughout their buildings,” he added. The company said water pressure was gradually returning to normal.

The airport spokesperson confirmed that the outage had affected both terminals and that the issue was under investigation. “Toilets have remained available throughout, and food and beverage outlets are now reopening and serving hot food,” the spokesperson said. “Since becoming aware of the issue, we have been working closely with our airport partners to help minimise the impact and successfully ensure all of today’s flights continue to depart as scheduled.” The spokesperson also acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the water shortage and thanked passengers for their patience.

Passengers reported frustration at the lack of water. Natasha Nzekwe, who was due to fly to Amsterdam from the North Terminal, said the situation was “quite frustrating” and that “you can’t even wash your hands in the toilets.” She added that she expected the problem to be worse on a long‑haul flight and that the airport had not provided information about the cause. Naduni Abeywickrama, travelling from London to Aberdeen, described the delay as “extremely frustrating” and noted that this was the second time a similar issue had occurred.

The water outage forced the temporary closure of most toilets in the North Terminal, while food outlets remained open for passenger seating only. A line of portable toilets was delivered to the site to cope with the demand. The airport’s response included the rapid deployment of portable sanitation facilities and the reopening of food and beverage outlets to serve hot food, a move aimed at easing passenger discomfort.

The incident follows a major supply outage in July, when a power failure at a local treatment works caused Gatwick Airport to lose running water for several hours. That outage forced passengers to queue for toilets and led to the temporary closure of restaurants and bars. The current problem appears to be isolated to a burst main, but the airport has taken steps to prevent a recurrence, including a review of water infrastructure and coordination with local utilities.

SES Water’s restoration efforts have been described as “ongoing” and the company has committed to keeping the airport informed as water flow improves. The airport’s spokesperson reiterated that all flights would depart on schedule, stressing that the water outage had no impact on flight operations.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of airport infrastructure to local utilities and the importance of rapid response to service disruptions. While the outage was largely confined to sanitation facilities, it underscored the need for robust contingency plans for essential services at major transport hubs. The airport’s cooperation with SES Water and its efforts to keep passengers informed and comfortable will be closely watched by industry observers as the restoration continues.