Manteca has hit its stride when it comes to water conservation.
Even though the city has added almost 3,000 residents since 2013, Manteca continues to exceed the state goal assigned to the city to reduce water use 27 percent over the amount used three years ago.
Manteca is June used 28 percent less water than they did in 2013.
The city has surpassed the 27 percent target since March when water use was down 42 percent. It was off 33 percent in April and 31 percent in May. Water use over 2013 levels was down 26 percent in February and 19.5 percent in January.
Manteca used 28.7 percent less water in 2015 than the city did in 2013.
While the state has relaxed dictates on how jurisdictions can go about saving water if they have adequate supplies, the state is still under a drought emergency. While there was a wet winter it wasn’t enough to break the long-term impacts of the drought or raise reservoir storage levels to get California out of the woods.
While the June savings were 28 percent over 2013 levels, water use was up 15 percent from June of 2015.

Stricter water rules
for Manteca in place
 Stricter water rules are now in place for Manteca residents and businesses.
And failure to comply could cost you as much as $500.
uNo water will be 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.
uNo water will be 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.
uNo irrigation is allowed during or within 48 hours following measurable rainfall as defined by storms that generate run-off or puddles.
Penalties include a written notice on the first violation, s 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.
No watering is 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.
There are also other pressures on the water supplies besides the drought.
Over drafting of valley aquifers prompted the state to put in place requirements that groundwater basins be managed to the point that no more water is taken from the ground than is put back into it. Given Manteca relies on ground water as well as surface water from the Stanislaus River watershed the new directive will impact the city.
There are also ongoing efforts to commandeer water on the Stanislaus River and nearby rivers for use for increased fish flows.
City officials have warned “water conservation is going to be a way of life from here on out.”
 
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com