A water supply failure at Gatwick Airport has left passengers with no access to working toilets or food and drink outlets. Flights are unaffected but services at both terminals have been compromised.
Bottled water is being given to travellers at the airport. The problem is also affecting residents in parts of Kent and Sussex.
Water company statement
SES Water said: "We are currently experiencing interruptions to water supplies in parts of the TN 11, RH1, RH6, and RH10 postcode areas." The firm added: "Our teams are on site and working to restore supplies as quickly and safely as possible. Customers in some areas may experience low pressure or no water while recovery work is completed."
Airport response
Gatwick Airport said: "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." The airport added: "Bottled water is being made available to passengers and staff across the airport and other contingency measures are being put in place to ensure the welfare of our passengers."
Passengers took to social media to complain. TalkTV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer posted on X: "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."
One Facebook user wrote: "Gasping for a drink & crossing my legs right now. This is ridiculous! Gatwick airport has shut all restaurants and most toilets due to a water outage. Not a great start to the holiday."
Impact on outlets
By late afternoon, the Wetherspoon pub, Greggs, Giraffe restaurant and Black Sheep Cafe were still shut in the South Terminal before security, while in the North Terminal Starbucks had its shutters down. Toilets were shut with water running at very low pressure in the restrooms.
Former MP Michael Dugher wrote on social media: "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…"
Roger Wood, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, arrived at Gatwick South Terminal at around 11am on Sunday to fly to New York. He told the Press Association: "There was no communication. We arrived at 11ish and it had only started recently. We met friends at the bar but they couldn't serve us as they were unable to wash their hands."
Retail shops including Marks and Spencer, Boots and WHSmith remained open with well-stocked water bottle supplies.
