WAILUKU, Maui — The nearly yearlong drought declaration for Upcountry Maui has been lifted, but county officials are still urging customers in Central and South Maui to voluntarily reduce water consumption by 10 percent, The Maui News reported.

"This is good news for Upcountry residents and farmers," said Mayor Charmaine Tavares in a press release issued late Friday afternoon. "It's a tough situation for any part of our island to endure such conditions, and the community is to be commended for helping reduce water usage during the drought period."

Both Tavares and Water Director Jeffrey Eng supported the Board of Water Supply's recommendation Thursday to lift the drought declaration Upcountry while maintaining the voluntary reduction request for the Central system, even though it has reached water-level goals.

Drought was declared for Upcountry on May 22, 2008. The Department of Water Supply then issued a "watch" that asked customers to reduce water consumption by 5 percent.

On Friday morning, the flows at Wailoa Ditch were at 122 million gallons per day, or 61.1 percent of capacity. The Piiholo Water Treatment Facility reservoir contained 49.8 million gallons, or 99.6 percent of capacity.

The 100-million-gallon Kahakapao Reservoirs were at 96.9 percent capacity, while the 30-million-gallon Waikamoi Reservoirs were at 42.1 percent.

Drought for the Central system was declared Aug. 23, 2007. The system has reached its water-level goals, but county officials will maintain the voluntary reduction request in the interest of encouraging continued water conservation, according to the release.

The requested 10 percent reduction in water consumption remains in place for all customers in Kahului, Wailuku, Waihee, Maalaea, Paia/Kuau, Puunene, Kihei, Wailea and Makena.