While Australia has the lowest recorded annual rainfall of any inhabited continent it tops the list on a per capita calculation, our problem has always been more about management. This book chronicals the history of Australia from the first fleet to present day, outlining how the search for and management of water shaped this great continent.

In the early days Sydney and its surrounds was sustained by fresh water running into Sydney Cove but with the population rapidly increasing this supply became inadequate and the "Tank Stream" was created. By tapping into an underground water source Sydney was able to grow out towards what is now Parramatta, settlements were established and trade began to flourish. But things would soon turn sour as the wells began to run dry.

With the market equilibrium between supply and demand back on the agenda it looks like Australia's future may well hinge on our ability to manage our resources and our expectations. A case of history repeating its self perhaps.

The book was reviewed on radio 2GB, a podcast of which is available by clicking through here.  The book is available for purchase from Booktopia.

Picture below is one of the remaining parts of western Sydney's Tank Stream. Camperdown, Sydney. More information about Sydney's early water supply can be found here.