March was a dry month for the City of Ripon.

The water conservation numbers reflect that, according to Director of Public Works James Pease at the April 12 Ripon City Council meeting.

“We matched our 2013 (pre-drought) numbers at zero percent (reduction). We had very dry month with hardly any rain,” he said.

Pease added that water usage based on the current numbers to that of 2021 was at a 53-percent increase.

Recent rains could make a difference for his April report.

The City’s water conservation resolution points out that “no irrigation of ornamental landscape during and 48 hours following measurable rain fall” – much of that occurred in recent days.

The weather for the coming week is expected to warm up. While the mandatory water conservation measures are in place – included are no outdoor watering of any kind on Mondays or between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week – the City of Ripon announced that the water fountain at Mistlin Sports Park will be in operating daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The interactive water feature – a cooling spot for children of all ages – is located at the corner of River Road at the southeast corner of the park.