Despite the heavy dump-off of rain, the City of Ripon will continue its water conservation efforts.

At Tuesday’s Ripon City Council meeting, Director of Public Works James Pease provided the December water usage numbers.

During that time, residents reduced water consumption by 16 percent – pre-drought 2013 served as the baseline comparison – and were up 8 percent compared to a year ago.

Unlike neighboring cities such as Manteca and Lathrop that rely on groundwater as well as reservoirs that are starting to bounce back, Ripon uses 100 percent groundwater.

Experts say it will take multiple years of average to above average rain to bring aquifers up to pre-drought levels should the current string pf storms and the rest of the rainy season bring reservoirs up to normal.

According to Water Conservation Resolution, no irrigation of ornamental landscape is allowed during and 48 hours following measurable rain fall.

Other from that, residents are on a once-a-week watering schedule.

Those with even addresses within the City of Ripon are allowed to water on Saturdays.

Properties with odd address number can water on Sundays.

For more information, log on to www.cityofripon.org.