Protect Our Water Before Our Wells Run Dry

Support a Virginia DEQ Groundwater Management Area for Loudoun

Dear Editor: 

In April, the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition (LCPCC) and sponsoring organizations (Loudoun Watershed Watch, Loudoun’s Future, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Piedmont Environmental Council, and Save Rural Loudoun) held three public meetings about western Loudoun’s groundwater resources, with over 300 residents attending. The meetings highlighted an important assessment of Loudoun’s groundwater supply produced in 2025. 

The Groundwater Study shows groundwater levels declining in western Loudoun for several decades. Our geology sharply limits available groundwater, even as wells increased from 6000 in 1980 to 19,000 today. Our farmers and residents face a growing risk of dry wells, a problem that can’t be easily fixed by extending public water service. 

The Study recommends a Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Groundwater Management Area to help protect western Loudoun’s limited groundwater resources. LCPCC and its partners encourage the County government to advocate with DEQ to establish this protection. 

The authors of the Study are three long-time western Loudoun residents. These highly qualified, public-minded gentlemen spearheaded LCPCC’s Agriculture Work Group efforts over many long months. 

John Adams, of the Loudoun Farm Bureau and 50-year operator of Rock Croft Farm, was the first to press the initiative and engage county organizations. David Ward, a hydrogeologist with over 40 years’ experience with Loudoun groundwater and former county employee, was lead author. His expertise and scientific insights were key to understanding the problem and explaining it to the public. Andrew Stoddard, a nationally recognized water resources engineer, was co-author. His modeling experience and analysis reinforced the report’s scientific rigor. 

LCPCC is a coalition of over 50 Loudoun participating organizations. Together, we share information and ideas, while striving to help protect Loudoun’s environmental and historic resources. On behalf of our many participating organizations, we thank the authors and everyone who is helping bring attention to the serious issues related to groundwater. We encourage all Loudoun residents to recognize our groundwater as the precious resource it is and to support a request to Virginia DEQ to establish a Groundwater Management Area that includes Loudoun. 

The full report is available at Loudoun County Groundwater Study. 

Loudoun County Preservation & Conservation Coalition Executive Committee, Loudoun Watershed Watch, Loudoun’s Future, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Piedmont Environmental Council, and Save Rural Loudoun.