The water supply has returned to the majority of Gatwick Airport after passengers spent hours without access to working toilets and bars and restaurants were closed.
Toilets and outlets reopen
Most toilets had reopened across both terminals on Sunday evening, with the remaining facilities including bars and restaurants expected to return to normal for the first of Monday’s flights. Although flights were unaffected, toilets in both terminals were out of use, cafes, restaurants and bars were shut, and taps were either not running at all or running with low pressure since Sunday morning.
Airport statement
Announcing that the water, supplied by SES Water, had been restored, Gatwick Airport said: “Following an issue at the Bough Beech Water Treatment Works which impacted the local area today, we are pleased to report that the water supply has now returned to the vast majority of the London Gatwick campus.
“Most toilet facilities are now open and we expect all toilets – as well as food and beverage outlets – to be open for tomorrow’s first flights. Since becoming aware of the issue, we have been working closely with @SESWater and our airport partners to help minimise the impact, and ensure all today’s flights departed as scheduled.”
Disruption details
The airport was forced to deploy additional staff and hand out bottled water to travellers. 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.
Gatwick added: “Additional staff remain on hand across both terminals to support passengers and maintain operations as we return to normal operations. We recognise the inconvenience caused by today’s water shortage and thank passengers for their patience and understanding.
“We’d also like to thank airport staff and our partners, who have gone above and beyond to support passengers and keep disruption to a minimum.”
SES Water response
SES Water released a statement at 5.57pm to confirm that the issue was being fixed but that a full solution would take time. They posted on social media: “Supplies are gradually returning for impacted customers including Gatwick Airport – it will take time for the network to fully return to normal as this has been a highly unusual and complex issue,” they said.
“We want to reiterate that our teams are working as quickly as they possibly can and we are grateful for everyone’s patience.”
