Middleburg Enacts Voluntary Water Conservation Measures Amid Drought Conditions

The Middleburg Town Council has enacted voluntary water conservation measures effective June 12 in response to ongoing drought conditions and declining water levels in the wells that supply the town’s water system.

Town officials are asking residents, businesses and other water users to voluntarily reduce or eliminate non-essential water use to help preserve available water resources.

The requested conservation measures include:

• Shortening shower times.
• Running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.
• Avoiding the watering of lawns, plants and other outdoor vegetation between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Watering during the early morning or late evening hours can reduce water loss from evaporation.
• Limiting automobile washing during those same hours. Residents are encouraged to use a small bucket when washing vehicles and to keep hoses turned off except when actively rinsing.
• Avoiding the washing of paved surfaces such as driveways, walkways and patios.
• Sweeping with a broom is encouraged, with rinsing limited to early morning or late evening hours if necessary.
• Refraining from draining and refilling swimming pools and only topping off pools asneeded.
• Restaurants serving drinking water only upon customer request.

Staff will continue monitoring well levels and provide updates to the Mayor and Town Council during regularly scheduled meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Those updates will help guide any future decisions regarding water conservation measures.