With Central Maui contending with drought conditions, the Maui County Board of Water Supply is asking for a voluntary 10 percent cut in water use.

The reduction request was made at a meeting Thursday when BWS also agreed to support and recommend that the Department of Water Supply declare a drought, effective immediately, for the Central Maui Water System.

With the declaration, the requested 10 percent reduction in use is for all customers in Kahului, Wailuku, Waihe'e, Ma'alaea, Pa'ia/Ku'au, Pu'unene, Kihei, Wailea and Makena.

"With rainfall at Pu'u Kukui at 41 percent of normal and the 12- month moving average (for water production) rising, we have to take action to protect our aquifers," Director of Water Supply Jeffrey Eng said in a news release.

The Board of Water Supply will revisit Central Maui's consumption at a meeting scheduled for Sept. 27.