Gatwick Airport passengers found themselves in a dry spell on Saturday after a water main burst in a nearby field, leaving both terminals without water and toilets in the North Terminal out of service.

SES Water, the utility company, said it located the burst main in Horley, and while it has begun to restore supply, the airport confirmed that the issue had affected water supply in both terminals and was under investigation. Flights, however, remained unaffected, because apparently the universe has limits to its cruelty.

This isn't the first time Gatwick has pulled this stunt. In July, a power failure at a treatment works left both terminals without running water for hours, causing long queues for toilets and forcing restaurants and bars to close. Because nothing says 'modern travel' like a desperate dash for a functioning loo.

Passengers were not amused. Natasha Nzekwe, heading to Amsterdam from the North Terminal, lamented the lack of hand-washing facilities: 'There's no water at all, you can't even wash your hands in the toilets. If I were on a long haul flight I think it would be worse.' Naduni Abeywickrama, traveling from London to Aberdeen, called the delay 'extremely frustrating' and noted, 'This is the second time this has happened.'

Meanwhile, the airport's response has been to close the North Terminal toilets, keep the South Terminal's mostly operational, and allow food outlets to remain open but for seating only. Because nothing says 'hospitality' like a lukewarm sandwich in a terminal with no running water.

Anthony Rochester, head of networks at SES Water, assured that supplies have been restored to the airport and surrounding areas by re-routing the network, but admitted that water isn't yet flowing throughout the buildings. So, passengers, keep your hand sanitizer handy.

The airport is reportedly working with SES Water to resolve the issue, but for now, it's a reminder that even in 2024, basic infrastructure can still throw a tantrum.