Gatwick Airport: Water company issues update amid 'highly unusual and complex issue'

As well as business closures, there have been reports of no working toilets or running water at the airport.

Staff at both terminals have been handing out bottled water to passengers, while toilets could not be flushed and hand-washing facilities have not been working.

SES Water said the network would take time to fully return to normal following what it described as a ‘highly unusual and complex issue’.

The company said its teams were working as quickly as possible and thanked customers for their patience.

The affected areas include TN8, and parts of the RH1, RH6, RH7, RH8, RH9 and RH10 postcode districts.

In its latest update at 5.55pm on Sunday, July 26, SES Water said supplies were gradually returning for impacted customers, including those at Gatwick Airport.

The disruption was caused by a power outage at Bough Beech Water Treatment Works, which led to complications affecting supplies.

SES Water said the treatment works were back up and running by 2pm, but the water needed to be treated before supplies could be fully restored.

Earlier in the day, the company said it had been delivering bottled water to the most vulnerable customers on its Priority Services Register who needed it most.

SES Water apologised to customers affected by the disruption and said it would continue working to restore normal services.

A spokesperson for the water company told Sussex World, at 5.45pm: “Supplies are gradually returning for impacted customers including Gatwick Airport – it will take time for the network to fully return to normal as this is has been a highly unusual and complex issue.

“We want to reiterate that our teams are working as quickly as they possibly can and we are grateful for everyone’s patience.”

London Gatwick Airport confirmed a ‘water issue’ in the Horley area is ‘causing disruption at the airport’.

A post on social media, at 11.25am, read: “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 contingency measures are being put in place to ensure the welfare of our passengers. 

“We will provide further updates and apologise for any inconvenience to passengers.”

An update at 1.45pm read: “A local water supply issue is continuing to cause disruption. There is currently no water supply in either terminal.

“Our staff are on hand to support passengers and provide assistance where needed, some restaurant partners have opened to provide additional seating.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and are working closely with @SESWater to restore the supply as quickly as possible.”

At 3.30pm, the airport confirmed that staff ‘continue to work’ with teams at SES Water, and are ‘closely monitoring the situation’.

It added: “We thank passengers for their patience and understanding and will provide further updates as soon as the water supply has been restored.”