Ongoing story · Updated November 3, 2026
Middleburg water supply and wells
As of November 2, Middleburg's mandatory water conservation has ended. It ran from July 24 and ended Sunday, Nov. 1, after the Town Council voted Oct. 22 to return to voluntary measures. The town's supply still depends entirely on a handful of wells.
Key points
The first four months of 2025 were the driest start to a year in Loudoun County in 131 years of records. In June 2025 the county was officially declared out of drought.
In June 2025 Council adopted the next budget without a dissent and paid off the water system's short-term debt. The year had opened with forever chemicals found in a backup well.
Council passed a water rationing law in July 2025 after three months of work. Six weeks later Well 4, freshly rebuilt and deepened, was losing up to 220 feet of water while pumping, and the Town had to use the new law.
In March 2026 the budget proposal included a new water rate structure that charges heavy users more. Council adopted tiered water and sewer rates on May 28, 2026, over the objection of Salamander, the town's largest water user.
On July 23, 2026 Council made water conservation mandatory starting the next day, until it votes to lift it. The wells had kept dropping under voluntary limits, and the Town needed to find more water.
Council voted Oct. 22, 2026 to step back to voluntary measures, and mandatory conservation ended Sunday, Nov. 1.
Questions
Are there mandatory water restrictions in Middleburg now?
No. Mandatory water conservation ended Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, after the Town Council voted Oct. 22 to return to voluntary measures.
Where does Middleburg get its water?
Every glass of water, shower, restaurant kitchen and fire hydrant in town draws on a handful of wells. There is no reservoir, river or pipe supplying the town.
When did Middleburg's mandatory water conservation begin?
Council made conservation mandatory on July 23, 2026, effective the next day, after the wells kept dropping under voluntary limits.
How did Middleburg change its water and sewer rates?
Council adopted tiered water and sewer rates on May 28, 2026, after more than a year of study. The structure charges heavy users more, and Salamander, the town's largest water user, objected.
This summary is AI-generated from the headlines and excerpts of the 11 stories below, is updated as new coverage arrives, and may contain errors. The linked stories are the record.