FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky officials have placed 27 counties on a water shortage watch as high heat and drought conditions persist throughout the state.

The state Energy and Environment Cabinet says the watch is issued when a drought has the potential to threaten drinking water supplies.

The counties are Monroe, Simpson, Warren, Fleming, Robertson, Whitley, Webster, Lee, Owsley, Owen, Pendleton, Crittenden as well as the 15-county Bluegrass Drought Management Area in central Kentucky. Its counties are Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Scott and Woodford.

The Cabinet says residents living in these areas should be prepared to reduce water use if they are requested to do so by water suppliers.