ERRATIC rainfall across the Mallee, and from Mildura east to Swan Hill, for the past four months, has water as a precious commodity well and truly back on the agenda.

The region has a huge rainfall event when no-one wanted it, with falls for last November over 100mm in some areas.

At Swan Hill the month was 61.8mm – up 17mm on the long-term average, while Ouyen (94.7mm against the usual 29.3mm...