Mild and wet weather coupled with wide spread compliance with outdoor conservation rules resulted in Manteca having its lowest April for water consumption in 13 years.

Manteca used 364.8 million gallons of water last month. That is the lowest April since 2013 when water usage was 352 million gallons.

Manteca had 25,000 less people — the population was 71,165 in 2013.

But the real story is how residents are adhering to permanent water conservation rules and the impacts of water efficient toilets and washing machines as well as the growth of landscaping more suited to the Central Valley’s climate in terms of water needs.

The city’s water usage in 2013 for April was 34 percent lower than in April 2003 when residents used 422 million gallons. Manteca had 57,200 residents in 2003.

That means with almost 70 percent more residents than in 2003, Manteca last month used 13 percent less water.

Last month’s water use of 364.8 million gallons was significantly less than in April 2025 when it was at 405.5 million gallons.

In the past during extended rainy periods in the spring, people would continue watering their lawns which are the biggest use by far of municipal water.

City rules prohibit landscape irrigation during or within 48 hours following measurable rainfall as defined by storms that generate run-off or puddles.

Other water rules include:

*No watering allowed on Monday or any day between noon and 6 p.m. Watering for even addresses is on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday while odd addresses can water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

*No water allowed on any day at any time for washing off sidewalks, driveways, patios, parking lots or other exterior non-landscaped areas without a permit obtained from the Manteca Public Works Department office at the Civic Center.

*No water allowed to flow into a gutter or other drainage area for longer than 5 minutes. All water leaks or malfunctions in plumbing or irrigation systems must be fixed with 24 hours.

Penalties include a written notice on the first violation, a $100 fine with applicable fees on the second violation that may be waived by attending a water conservation workshop; a $200 fine and applicable fees on the third violation; and $500 fines for each and every subsequent application plus applicable fees.