Town staff and county supervisors discussed two linked water issues: enforcement of town water restrictions for county customers who receive town water, and a county supervisor’s proposal for a groundwater protection ordinance.

Town representatives said mandatory water restrictions implemented by the town affect both residential and commercial uses under town ordinance (for example, watering, some car washes and landscape irrigation). The problem, they noted, is enforcement: the town’s police cannot enforce ordinances in county jurisdiction, and many county businesses and residents drawing town water were observed continuing restricted uses during recent mandatory restriction periods. Staff recommended exploring legal or cooperative options so that users drawing town water (including county residents and businesses) would be subject to the same restrictions and enforcement as town customers.

Separately, a county supervisor presented a proposed Warren County Groundwater Protection Ordinance and a supporting background report. The proposal aims to limit large consumptive groundwater withdrawals (defined in the draft to include manufacturing, cooling systems, and other non‑domestic consumptive uses), preserve groundwater for private wells (estimated at about 70% of local reliance per the presenter), and avoid the long‑term impacts of industrial‑scale wells. The supervisor said DEQ, Virginia Tech research and a Loudoun County groundwater study informed the report and that the county’s geology limits rapid recharge, making groundwater a constrained resource.

Speakers acknowledged tradeoffs: the draft ordinance would not prevent municipalities from using public water sources and the town retains authority over its water system. Town officials noted the town has invested heavily in water infrastructure (including redundant lines) and that limiting groundwater could increase demand on town supplies. Committee members asked county staff to circulate the report and for both jurisdictions to consider coordination on water planning; no ordinance was adopted and no regulatory change was recorded during the meeting.