# Gatwick Airport water outage

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gatwick-airport-water-outage
> Updated: 2026-07-31T14:09:50.000Z. Sources: 53. Developments: 2.

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.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: Gatwick water outage leads MP to demand answers from SES Water

A power failure at Bough Beech caused a water outage at Gatwick Airport and Horley on July 26. MP Chris Coghlan demanded SES Water explain its response to vulnerable residents, who said they received little aid

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gatwick-water-outage-leads-mp-to-demand-answers-from-ses-water

### 2026-07-26: Gatwick Airport water outage disrupts terminals, services restored Monday

A power outage at Bough Beech water works on 26 July cut water to both Gatwick terminals, closing toilets and cafés. Flights ran, bottled water was handed out, and most water was restored by evening with full‑t

52 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gatwick-airport-hit-by-water-outage-and-looming-fuelrefueller-strike

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Cite as: Gatwick Airport water outage. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gatwick-airport-water-outage