Gatwick Airport water outage

On 26 July 2026 a power failure at SES Water’s Bough Beech Water Treatment Works cut water supply to London Gatwick Airport and nearby Horley. Both terminals lost running water, forcing the suspension of toilet flushing, hand‑washing stations and most café services. Passengers were given bottled water while flights continued to operate. By evening most of the airport’s water pressure had been restored, with full normal operations expected on the following Monday.

In the days that followed, Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan wrote to SES Water demanding an explanation of how vulnerable residents on the Priority Services Register were notified and supplied with bottled water. He questioned the effectiveness of the company’s contingency plans. SES Water said it was reviewing its response and aiming to improve service when third‑party power outages affect its network. Residents described the hardship and community efforts to deliver bottled water to those in need.