Water supply issue affects Gatwick Airport
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A water supply issue is affecting both terminals at Gatwick Airport, with toilets reported to be out of order and restaurants closed.
In a statement on X, the airport in West Sussex apologised for the disruption and said a problem in the Horley area was affecting supplies and was under investigation.
Bottled water is being made available to passengers and staff and contingency measures have also been put in place, it said.
SES Water, which covers parts of Kent, Surrey and south London, as well as the airport, said it was working to restore normal service.
A spokesperson for the water company said: "Due to a number of complications caused by a power outage at our Bough Beech Water Treatment Works, some customers are experiencing low water pressure or a temporary loss of supply.
"We are working to overcome those complications and return the treatment works to supply as quickly as we can."
She confirmed Gatwick Airport was affected, adding: "We are working with them while our teams work to restore normal service as quickly as possible."
'At least provide chairs'
A passenger at the airport, Paul Lee, told the BBC he had not heard any announcements about the issue or seen bottled water being handed out.
He said: "For people who need to go to the toilet, this isn't good, and still no announcement or official information - and the water they mentioned isn't being distributed.
"I'm taking off soon, so that's fine, but for passengers in a few hours, this will be bad."
Lee added that restaurants and lounges were shut but shops were open.
Former MP and ex-CEO of UK Music Michael Dugher urged the airport on social media to "at least allow people to use the chairs in all the closed restaurants and bars".
Dugher, who was recently appointed the UK government's first "music champion", said: "No water is one thing but depriving people of somewhere to sit is another... families are having to sit on the floor."
People heading to the airport for flights have been advised not to arrive early.
A statement from Easyjet said: "Due to a water supply issue affecting London Gatwick Airport, bag drop desks are temporarily opening two hours before departure instead of three hours."
The airline said: "Please do not arrive earlier, as you will not be able to drop off your bags or enter the departure lounge until bag drop opens."
