It was one of the hottest and driest months of the entire year.

Yet Lathrop was still able to reduce its water usage 34.8 percent when compared to the 2013 numbers that have become the baseline in the State of California’s campaign to prevent unnecessary usage flowing from the taps.

And the craziest part about it?

In August, which was equally hot, the City of Lathrop managed to nearly duplicate the reduction with a 34.09 percent decrease over what was used the two years prior.

Currently the city only allows outdoor watering twice a week and has taken proactive steps like turning off all ornamental water features – those that don’t run on a recirculating system were among the first things targeted by the State – and has an active enforcement team. Between the two months the city has hung 25 door tag reminders to let people know of the proper watering day and times, but declined in all instances to issue citations.

The City of Lathrop currently provides residents with water conservation kits that assist homeowners in determining whether they have an underground leak and how to monitor the overall water consumption of a single dwelling.

Lathrop’s decision to turn off water features is not at all a new one. The Vintage Faire Mall, for example, had a very popular children’s play feature that is now simply part of the walkway and a massive fountain in between two newer restaurants is completely dry. Even Manteca got on board when the train-themed feature at library park was shuttered because the water wasn’t on a recirculation system – which, because of bacteria, need to include treatment methods and can make an already expensive feature outrageously so.

“You see people outside at night and they’re watering their lawn but they’re doing it so much differently than they did before,” said Lathrop resident Mark Eklund. “We’ve been programming our sprinklers around the times and dates and how to get as much water as is feasible, but you’re not going keep things lush and green with two days to do it in.

“It simply isn’t going to happen. Just like everybody else I’ve looked into that ornamental rock, but right now those guys are busier than they’ve ever been. I guess it’s good though that the numbers from here continue to be above what is being asked of us. I think that says a lot.”