Everything we do is either directly or indirectly influenced by it. Daily life depends on it.

And yet, until the drought of the past 10 years, most of us have completely ignored it, expecting it to be there - "on tap" if you will.

Not any more.

It is also a truism that you don't miss your water until the well is dry.

We have become used to restrictions, to dead gardens, to empty lakes and to dirty cars.

We are learning that, as far as water goes, we have to do more with less.

As a result, we are becoming more water wise.

It's immaterial whether you think that global warming, normal drought patterns or just a weird blip in the weather is to blame.

The result is the same. We are short of water but not short of the problems that brings.

On a local level, it was concerning to read in yesterday's edition of The Courier that fears are held for the viability of the vegetable industry in the Bacchus Marsh area if a secure source of water is not obtained.

"We are looking at this iconic valley of vegetable production being lost ... if we cannot obtain emergency water supplies," said Moorabool Shire Mayor Pat Toohey.

At risk are 600 jobs in the area and potential losses of more than $114 million.

And the ripple effect of raised vegetable and fruit prices would have its own unhealthy ramifications.

Struggling families on the tightest of budgets may no longer be able to provide enough fresh produce for their children.

They may be forced to rely more on the empty calories of stodgy junk food, thereby helping to boost the nation's medical bill as it combats an epidemic of of childhood and adult obesity.

On Mayor Toohey's wishlist is a $50 million pipeline to send recycled water to Bacchus Marsh.

This throws the onus back to the State Government and the water authorities to decide whether that would be a viable option.

Pipelines have been a controversial solution in the past but, under the circumstances, this does not seem an unreasonable request.

Unfortunately, governments and water authorities can build pipelines and move water from here to there as much as they like, but they can't make it rain.

That's a problem for a higher authority.