WAILUKU, Maui — Continued dry weather and low reservoir levels prompted the Maui Department of Water Supply yesterday to ask Upcountry, Hana and Kaupo residents to voluntarily conserve water.

The affected areas include Ha'iku, Makawao, Olinda, Hali'imaile, Pukalani, Oma'opio /Pulehu, Kula, Keokea/Waiohuli, 'Ulupalakua and Kanaio. Water officials said that if reservoir water levels continue to drop, a mandatory 10 percent conservation rule will be put into effect.

The water department reported that total average demand for the Upcountry water system over the past week was 9.8 million gallons per day, well above the average demand of 7.5 million gallons per day.

As of yesterday, the Wailoa Ditch flow was at 44 percent of capacity, and the 30 million-gallon Waikamoi reservoirs were empty, while the 100 million-gallon Kahakapao reservoirs were at 41 percent capacity, officials said.

For more information on how to conserve water, call the water department at (808) 244-8550. To report leaks in the water system, call (808) 270-7633.

Updates on water supplies and demand are available at www.mauiwater.org/drought.html.