More than 1,275 Moloka'i homes and businesses are being asked to conserve water in the Kaunakakai and Kala'e communities this week while the county works to complete repairs to a pump for the area's main well.

The county is asking residents not to water their lawns, wash vehicles or animals and to use water only for cooking, hygiene and safety purposes while the repairs are being done. Officials hope to complete repairs by Friday, said Mahina Martin, Maui County spokeswoman.

Until then, the million-gallon distribution tank is not being replenished at its normal rate and there is a risk of it running dangerously low, Martin said.

Clay Ching, a boat captain in Kaunakakai, said he's turned off his sprinklers and that his lawn is already turning brown. He said all nine members of his family are taking "military showers."

"We're not doing 10-minute showers anymore," Ching said. "We're taking the half-minute shower. Get in. Get wet. Get soapy. Rinse off and you're done. Everyone has to do their part."

The problem began Thursday when crews began work on a scheduled repair to the pump. The county had made arrangements with the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to pump water into the tank serving these two communities, but the DHHL pump then broke, Martin said.

Left with no way to refill the tank at its normal rate, the county on Friday issued the conservation plea. On Saturday, officials held a public meeting attended by 200 community members. County workers and volunteers also went door to door urging Kaunakakai and Kala'e residents to conserve water.

"We're trying to avoid an emergency situation," Martin said. "There is not a lot of water available." The county has not yet issued a mandatory conservation order.

Kaunakakai and Kala'e consumers typically use 650,000 gallons a day, Martin said. She said the tank appears to be holding at 50 percent full, but that county officials consider 80 percent to be the safe level.

An O'ahu contractor, Beylik Drilling and Pump Services, has brought in an additional crew to allow repairs to take place day and night, Martin said.

Crews worked through the weekend to repair the pump, which extends more than 1,200 feet below ground. In the meantime the reservoir is being refilled from a much smaller well at a slower pace.

"I think everyone is thinking about the conservation efforts, but it's not really affecting people," said Kevin Misaki, manager of Misaki's store in Kaunakakai. "Water is still available. But it is on everyone's mind."

In the meantime, water users can access two water tanks at the regional park. The county also is urging residents to go to communities that are not affected by the pump work to wash clothes, cars or animals.