Residents of Kilauea and surrounding Kaua'i areas are being asked to conserve water due to problems with Department of Water pumps in the area.

Residents from Waipake to Kalihiwai Bay, including Kilauea Farm Lots, Kilauea town and Kalihiwai Ridge, are asked to immediately reduce water use. That includes not washing cars, cutting outdoor irrigation and making other adjustments to water use.

The department said functioning pumps are barely able to keep up with the demand for water in the Kilauea area.

The department will issue updates on the status of the problem pumps.