The Town of Middleburg moved into mandatory water conservation mode today amid continuing concerns about falling groundwater levels.

Although drought conditions have improved across the commonwealth in recent weeks, groundwater supplies remain at “emergency” status in most of the state, including in Loudoun County.

The Town Council started promoting voluntary water conservation last month. That declaration did not result in a decline in water use to any significant degree, Interim Town Manager Bryan Foster said.

“Our neighbors in Fauquier have been under mandatory restrictions since at least last month, if not a week before, and they are, as we are, a complete groundwater system,” Foster said. “So we do believe that it’s prudent to take this next step, even though I recognize that’s not our preference.”

The town is generating more than 100,000 gallons of water per day. Conservation measures are designed to allow the utility operators to reduce well pumping times and to allow greater recovery periods.

Both the town’s Utility Committee and its system operator, Inboden Environmental Services, recommended the move to mandatory conservation.

The town operated under voluntary conservation rules last summer and fall and last enacted mandatory restrictions in 2024. The town’s mandatory conservation ordinance prohibits use of irrigation systems, pool filling and unrequested water service in restaurants. It also limits other outdoor water use such as watering gardens and washing vehicles.

Inboden CEO Mark Inboden told the council that even the recent rainstorms may not have much of an impact on groundwater supplies. While rain helps, he said a previous study found that the town’s aquifer is recharged by water from other regions.

“We’re talking over 100 miles away. … That’s where our water is coming from,” he said. “It’s not specifically right here in Middleburg. It’s in those outer regions, too.”

The council agreed to review the well conditions each month to determine if the restrictions need to continue. Members also supported efforts to expand the water supply, a matter that will be taken up by the Utility Committee.

“I will say, finding water is not easy. It’s just not overnight,” Inboden said. He said it could take six months to a year to complete geotechnical studies to identify potential well sites. Then test wells may or may not find spots that have the quality and quantity of water to justify the expense of establishing a new well.

While the move to mandatory conservation was not unexpected because of the struggling wells, council members said they understand the impact the order can have on residents and businesses.

“I just want to say that we don’t take this lightly, having to do this,” Council member Cindy Pearson said. “It’s really hard to say we’re going to go into mandatory water conservation, but if it doesn’t improve, we have to go into water rationing after that. We really don’t want to go there. So I just want the public to understand that this is not an easy decision at all.”