PUKALANI, Maui — Upcountry residents and businesses are being asked to cut water use by 5 percent under a drought watch declared Thursday by the Department of Water Supply.

Customers with agricultural rates are exempt from the request, which covers Ha'iku, Makawao, Olinda, Hali'imaile, Pukalani, Kula, Omaopio/Pulehu, Keokea, 'Ulupalakua and Kanaio/Waiohuli.

The department declared the drought watch, in consultation with the Board of Water Supply, after five of six triggers were met, including extremely low reservoir and ditch levels. The agency also reported that system demand is exceeding average daily inflow, and that the National Weather Service's forecast is for continued dry weather.

The service's Climate Prediction Center says Kahului is among the areas in the state with a high likelihood of below-normal rainfall through October.

Central Maui also is experiencing drought conditions, and customers on that system in Wailuku, Kahului, Pa'ia and Kihei were asked in August to reduce water consumption to no more than 600 gallons a day.

If the situation worsens, a drought warning calling for mandatory 10 percent cutbacks may be issued, water director Jeffrey Eng said.

"Most water usage takes place outside. If everyone could reduce their watering schedule by a day or two, we should be able to survive the drought this summer without any mandatory restrictions," he said.

To help conserve water, consumers should check in and around homes for leaks and install water-saving devices where possible. The Department of Water Supply provides free low-flow fixtures at the Hokama Building, 59 Kanoa St., in Wailuku. For more information, call 808-244-8550.

The water department yesterday said residents in a small section of Makawao no longer need to boil their water.

Water-quality test results yesterday showed no presence of E. coli or total coliform bacteria in the water, the department said.

The contamination was discovered Tuesday when a routine water sample taken by the agency was found to be positive for E. coli bacteria. Fewer than 50 households were affected in an area from the Makawao Fire Station and Nane Lane to the intersection of Makawao Avenue and Old Haleakala Highway.

There were no reports of illness associated with the water contamination, the county said.