Last week, NSW Energy and Utilities Minister Don Harwin opened the $1 million Hunter Water Centre for Education – the region’s first purpose-built water education centre.

The centre is located in Mayfield, but it offers free programs for schools across the Hunter.

Ms Aitchison said the facility would be particularly important for students in the Maitland area, where there is a rapidly increasing number of water users – because of population growth.

“Hunter Water has a strong track record in engaging the community to reduce their water use and to understand how our water and sewerage systems work,” she said.

“This will be a great addition to the fantastic Water Catchers program where primary school students produce a water themed video and compete for a $5000 grant for an environmental project in their school. Students at Morpeth Public School have been finalists in this program.

"With the Hunter's population increasing so rapidly, particularly in Maitland, it's vital that we all continue to do our part to reduce our water usage.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said the centre would be a valuable asset for the thousands of students expected to visit each year.

“The Centre for Education will give students important lessons on the sewage system, an essential but not often talked about area where better education can prevent problems like the ‘fatberg’ blockages plaguing pipes across Australia,” he said.

Hunter Water managing director Jim Bentley said the centre would provide an exciting learning experience for students.

“Hunter residents have gradually reduced their water usage over the past three decades thanks to new technology and water-wise behavior,” he said.

“The centre for education will help continue this trend by getting young people interested in and excited about water from a young age.”