More rain may be in the forecast but water conservation efforts are still in effect.

The City of Ripon did just that, reducing water usage by 30.7 percent in January.

Those figures coupled with the December numbers (41.5 percent) pushed the overall water conservation efforts in Ripon to 33 percent for the year, according to  

Director of Public Works Ted Johnston.

At last Tuesday’s meeting, the Ripon City Council looked at those updated numbers paired up against the 2013 base line levels.

Under the conservation measure enforced in recent years due to the severe drought, residents here are restricted from watering usage during the winter months, irrigating once a week but only on weekends.

Johnston mentioned to elected leaders that 30 notices were issued to those watering on the wrong day, with three being cited for heeding the warning.

He added that the conditions of the groundwater wells are improving.

“There’s been an increase of one foot per year on the wells,” Johnston said.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com