Daily usage in winter is usually 170 million litres per day but residents and businesses are now using 173 million litres every 24 hours.

Warmer than average temperatures are being blamed for the increase.

With dam levels falling, and the long range forecast offering little hope of decent widespread rain, it's not a good combination.

In fact, the region is just 6 per cent away from level one water restrictions. The combined total storage is now at 66.4 per cent and level one water restrictions kick in at 60 per cent.

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That is likely to happen in September if current conditions continue.

A Hunter Water spokeswoman said the past few months were "traditionally a high rainfall period" but this year the region had instead seen higher temperatures and lower rainfall.

"Hunter Water is actively engaging with its customers and community to encourage water conservation and ensure that people are prepared if the trigger for restrictions is reached," she said.

"In addition to continuing to detect and fix leaks within its network, Hunter Water is engaging with large customers to identify water efficiencies, and is continuing its Love Water campaign to encourage the community to conserve water.

"Little things can make a big difference, such as shorter showers, only watering the garden with a trigger nozzle before 10am or after 4pm and waiting for a full load before using the washing machine or dishwasher."

If level one restrictions were enforced the use of sprinklers would be banned and watering would only be allowed three days a week before 10am and after 4pm.