When my partner and I moved into our East Port property 13 years ago, we installed solar panels and water tanks for the laundry, toilets and garden.

Back then it rained so much, there was always plenty of water and our tanks regularly filled to overflowing.

During the recent drought we noticed they are slow to fill and realised that we were only collecting half of the rainwater that ran off the roof of our 80-year-old house. The old plumbing sent the rest straight into the drain.

When we went to order another tank to collect more water, we were told there was a huge waiting list for water tanks.

So, it is great to know that more residents are realising the need to collect this precious finite resource.

Wouldn't it be great to know that they are also conserving water in their homes? Having shorter showers and collecting grey water for the garden.

And what about tourists to Port Macquarie? Are they asked on arrival to have short showers? Do they use dual flush toilets efficiently to reduce wastage?

More education programs would be great, so perhaps it is time to revamp OSMOSIS, the water education project I designed for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council in 2004 and for the return of AQUASCULPTURE along the river bank, prompting artists and residents to actively participate in celebration and conservation of water.

I look forward to hearing what strategies council has in mind. Is it time to ask how many more developments and housing estates we can realistically supply with water?

Krissa Wilkinson

Port Macquarie