Middleburg council hears broad public support, technical questions on proposed water-conservation ordinance

Middleburg — The Town Council held a public hearing and extended discussion on a proposed water-conservation ordinance that would create three phased responses — voluntary conservation, mandatory restrictions and a capped rationing stage with surcharges — to be triggered if local supply metrics deteriorate.

The proposal, presented by Town Manager Danny Davis, would preserve a voluntary first tier, require a second tier of mandatory restrictions (for example, limits on outdoor irrigation) and add a new third tier that would set a per-account cap before surcharges apply. "You're not voting on anything tonight. You're not implementing water conservation measures tonight," Davis told the council as he laid out the three-phase, step-by-step approach and emphasized staff would return with specific trigger options.

The topic drew nearly a dozen public commenters and extended council debate. Resident Megan Gallagher told the council, "The issue of water supply in our region and particularly for our town is urgent. We need to protect our single source aquifer" and urged enforcement "with teeth," including surcharges for customers who…