The City of Ripon’s current groundwater levels have made a remarkable rebound in recent years.

So much so that Public Works Director Ted Johnston reported levels as “back at the 2013 level before the drought,” he said at the May 8 Ripon City Council meeting.

Johnston added that those numbers appear to be heading in the right direction and will continue to be monitored by staff.

That was part of the good news regarding the local water conservation efforts.

For April, Ripon residents put their best foot forward with 37 percent reduction – using the 2013 levels as a baseline – while the 12-month running average was 23 percent.

“This number will go down as summer months start to warm up,” Johnston said. “But staff will continue to monitor water use and waster.”

Water waters, upon receiving first a written warning, can face penalties of $50 (first violation within a one-year period) to $200 (third violation within that one-year period) or even $400 (any additional violation following the third violation within that same one-year period).

Currently, Ripon is in a three-times-a-week watering schedule for residents on landscaping uses.

No watering is allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Those in homes with even addresses can water their lawn on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Folks on odd numbered addresses can water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

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