(BIVN) – Hawaii Island’s Department of Water Supply reports that the 25% mandatory North Kona Water Restriction – in effect for nearly an entire year – is officially downgraded to a 10% Voluntary Water Conservation.

Water Supply officials say the Keōpū Deepwell, repaired on December 22, 2017, is “fully operational and has been operating reliably over the past several weeks.”

“The Department feels confident that the water needs of the community will be met with the 10% voluntary conservation in effect and will continue to monitor the water system and make adjustments as necessary,” the official announcement read.

“The Department would sincerely like to acknowledge the community’s efforts to reduce their water usage throughout the water restriction. MAHALO for your assistance!” the release stated.

Keith Okamoto, the Department’s Manager-Chief Engineer, talked to Sherry Bracken before Tuesday’s announcement. Part of the interview can be heard in the video above.

Customers are encouraged to use water efficiently and wisely, and to not waste water, officials advised in today’s news release.

UPDATE – Jan. 10, 2018 at 9 a.m. – Okamoto said, as of now, 10 out of 13 wells in the North Kona district are functional. Three wells, all among the higher elevation wells, are not working: the Palani, Keahuholu, and Waiaha wells. He said water customers in the North Kona district have done a really good job conserving water, and he anticipates the conservation efforts will continue. Although water usage in the district varies from month to month, the average usage prior to the current conservation requirements have been around 10 or 11 million gallons per day. During the last year, since the department first imposed conservation requirements, usage has gone as low as 8 million gallons of water per day. The current average is 8 and a half million gallons per day, Okamoto said.