Hunter Region Tests Digital Future for Water

500 homes and businesses are trialing real-time meters, paving the way for a smarter water future

23 Sep 2025

Australia’s water industry is stepping into a digital era. In the Hunter region, Hunter Water has partnered with metering company Intellihub on a pilot program that is already changing how households and utilities manage water.

Around 500 homes and businesses are taking part, including 300 in Cameron Park and 50 commercial sites fitted with water loggers. Unlike older meters that rely on occasional manual readings, the new digital devices deliver data in real time. Leaks can be detected almost instantly, cutting waste, protecting infrastructure, and helping to save millions of liters of water.

For Hunter Water, the project goes beyond infrastructure. “This is about empowering customers, protecting our systems, and ensuring every drop is used wisely,” a spokesperson said. By pairing its community-first approach with Intellihub’s digital expertise, the utility hopes to set a model that can be scaled across the country.

The investment is significant upfront, but analysts point to long-term gains in efficiency, planning, and public trust. If the trial delivers on its promise, it could accelerate adoption of digital metering nationwide.

Challenges remain, including integrating the technology into existing systems, safeguarding customer data, and ensuring households understand how to use the new tools. Still, industry leaders argue the benefits outweigh the risks.

As climate pressures tighten the squeeze on water supplies, the Hunter initiative highlights how innovation and collaboration can secure the future. What begins with 500 trial connections today could soon redefine how Australia measures and manages every drop.