Upcountry Maui residents are again being asked to conserve water after the county announced a drought watch because of “continued extremely dry weather.”

Residents of Haiku, Makawao, Olinda, Haliimaile, Pukalani, Omaopio/Pulehu, Kula, Keokea/Waiohuli, Ulupalakua, and Kanaio are being asked to reduce water usage by 10 percent.

County Director of Water Dave Taylor said on Friday that the Wailoa Ditch, a primary Upcountry water source, has been flowing at less than 40 million gallons per day. In addition, the 100 million gallon Kahakapao reservoirs now holds only 33.4 million gallons and the Waikamoi reservoirs are empty.

“If we do not get rain soon and demand remains high, we will have to implement mandatory cutbacks to preserve our water supply. If customers can use less, we can make it through without mandatory restrictions until the rains replenish the reservoirs,” Taylor said.

To help conserve water, consumers should check in and around homes for leaks, use water conservatively, and install water saving devices where possible. Suggested conservation methods include not washing cars, irrigating lawns or filling storage tanks or reservoirs.

Free low-flow shower heads and leak detection dye tablets for toilets are available at One Main Plaza, Suite 102 in Wailuku. For more information on how to save water, contact the DWS at 463-3110. To report leaks in the water system, please call 270-7633.

A drought watch for Upcountry Maui had just been lifted in March.

Residents had been asked to voluntarily cut back water use by 5 percent since 2009.