“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

It’s a quote that came to mind this past week, after we were given interesting article from Orange City Life reader Don Perry.

Don’s father, Daniel Perry, was long-serving Orange City Council alderman. He spent more than three decades in local government, served six years as deputy mayor and was actively involved in many council committees. Mr Perry was even awarded the British Empire medal in recognition of his service to Orange.

What caught our attention in this article published in the Midstate Observer in 1986, were the quite prescient views held by Mr Perry when it came the future of Orange’s water supply.

Water was a particular area of interest for Mr Perry who played no small part in the improving of Orange’s water and sewerage infrastructure. He was greatly involved in the underground drainage system built in the 50s and also development of Suma Park Dam, from the funding through to the type of wall and construction.

But when asked what Orange needs most, Mr Perry answered simply, ‘more water’.

If Orange is to cope with population growth, Mr Perry told the Observer’s correspondent some 34 years ago, the wall at Suma Park Reservoir will have to be raised and another water reservoir site will have to be found.

Not only that, Mr Perry goes on to advocate for the recycling and reuse of treated sewerage water, something that is officially back on Council’s agenda in 2020.

The extended drought has certainly put all things water in the public eye of late and our Council is currently investigating some 20 potential water projects to secure the city supply.

Stormwater harvesting continues to do its bit to top up our dwindling reservoirs and tough water restrictions have dramatically reduced demand — 119 litres per person per day is pretty extraordinary.

These measures have served to pushed back the need for tighter water restrictions, but only good rain will get us out of our current predicament.

Thankfully, there seems to be a bit of that around at the moment — too much in some places, but we could certainly use a bit more!

Let’s just hope the enthusiasm for improving our city’s water security doesn’t wash away when drought-breaking rains do finally fall and the dams fill again.

If there’s one thing the past has taught us, it’s that there will always be another drought.