The lawn sprinklers were on along Jason Street next to the Main Street Ride-Aid store.
There was no excess run-off in keeping with the City of Manteca’s year-round water conservation rules. That wasn’t the problem.
The sprinklers were operating on Monday at 1:50 p.m. No irrigation of landscape is allowed anywhere in Manteca on a Monday. At the same time no one can irrigate landscaping between noon and 6 p.m. on any day.
The Jason Street violation is an aberration these days in Manteca,
Compliance to conservation rules has helped Manteca reduce its water use by 28 percent over 2013 levels despite adding more than 3,200 residents since them. Most of it has been done through voluntary compliance but some of it has taken a not-too-subtle reminder from the city’s water conservation staff.
Since the start of the year, the city has issued 1,045 warnings for water conservation violations. Those who did not comply to rules after that first notice was issued were given citations for subsequent violations. There have been 88 such violations issued since Jan. 1.
While the state’s overall water situation has improved California is still in a fifth year of drought.

Stricter water rules
for Manteca in place
 Stricter water rules have been in place for Manteca residents and businesses for almost a year.
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, 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