Early modelling indicates that consumers are using about four per cent less water than they otherwise would have been, when usage is adjusted to account for climate variations.

This saving amounts to the average yearly water usage of 7000 households and would enable around two years of residential growth in the Lower Hunter without building new supply capacity.

It comes as Hunter Water marks one year since the Love Water conservation campaign was launched, which aims to encourage our community to value water by making simple changes at home such as taking shorter showers or waiting until you have a full load to wash clothes.

Energy and Utilities Minister Don Harwin congratulated Hunter Water on its campaign, which brings the community together through conservation.