Paddocks upon paddocks of dry crops aren't normal in Toodyay at this time of year.

The local river is normally flowing and healthy, but right now it's shallow and stagnant.

Trees are normally green, but now they're dead or dying.

And rainwater tanks are normally full and replenished after a long, dry summer.

But this year, they're completely empty.

Only 35 millimetres of rain was recorded in Perth from October last year through to the middle of May.

For eight months straight, the city and broader WA barely saw a drop, and now it's regional towns paying the price.

'We keep the town running'

Water carter Jamie Ratcliffe is a moving cog that's kept Toodyay alive and running after what's been one of the driest summers on record.

The 53-year-old runs Avon Valley Water Cartage, just one of two services that provides for the 4,601 people who call the small town north-east of Perth home.

And he works 14-hour days, seven days a week to do just that.

"And if it's not coming, water carters and businesses in general can only do the best they can do."

Toodyay has a scheme water system that services the main town itself, but the surrounding areas rely on water cartage and rainwater collection alone.

It's something that has been pretty difficult during the recent prolonged dry period across the state, and in areas like Toodyay, pretty much impossible.

The town saw its first significant rainfall in the past week or so, but it was much later than expected.

"On a normal year, the truck goes off mid-April and I wouldn't turn it back on until late October [or] mid-November, but at the moment I'm booked until the end of July."

The lack of rainfall means Mr Ratcliffe isn't slowing down his service anytime soon.

"99 per cent of the people are very, very grateful for the water caters in town and the service that we provide," he said.

Locals paying the price

The cost of carted water has also gone up due to the lack of rainfall, resulting in mounting pressure on locals who have no choice but to pay for it.

Glenn Bremmell is worried his elderly mother won't be able to afford Mr Ratcliffe's water for much longer.

"We've been getting about two loads a month at about $300 a load, so for a pensioner that's quite a bit, and not being able to catch the rainwater is a bit of a shame," he said.

But elsewhere, for farmers Eric and Leonie Savolveli, paying for water is something they're willing to do.

The pair have spent $8,000 on carted water this year alone to keep their garden alive during the recent hot and dry summer.

Where the pair live, just outside of Toodyay, temperatures over summer at their peak ticked over 48 degrees Celsius.

But this didn't stop Leonie from protecting her pride and joy.

"As you're getting to the last couple of months of summer, especially that last month, you can get really, really depressed," she said.

"And without being able to purchase water, we'd have nothing … you couldn't grow a garden, and without a garden, I don't know if you'd want to live here."

Additional irrigation waters urgently needed, expert says

University of Western Australia Adjunct Associate Professor Don McFarlane has researched water in Perth for over 40 years.

He's measured the drying trend of the climate firsthand and experienced the changes.

"We have had a reasonably predictable year-on-year drying climate compared to what happens over east," he said.

"Generally, all of the southern areas of Australia are experiencing a drying and heating trend, so it's a matter of when you'll need these additional waters, not if you'll need them."

Dr McFarlane said the reuse of treated wastewater and drainage water would be key in the future, not reducing irrigation which is increasing urban heat.

"We've got lots of water that could keep Perth green and cool but it is not being used at the moment, unlike in rural and regional areas or even Mandurah, where treated wastewater is infiltrated to produce groundwater resources," he said.

"As a result, temperatures are increasing at more than twice the rate in Perth than in other parts of the south-west."

Dr McFarlane noted that states experiencing less consistent year-on-year rainfall could go from having a water shortage to a water surplus because of changing weather patterns.

"By the time they get their reuse schemes going they can have water in their dams, and they may switch off their more expensive reuse schemes," he said.

Dr McFarlane said urgent planning was needed and water reuse needed to be a state government priority.

Government 'prepared to innovate'

WA Water Minister Simone McGurk said the state government was well aware of the impacts of this prolonged dry period on regional communities.

The minister in particular noted the impact on dams and how rainfall was "not only less but less reliable".

"We're going to have to innovate and take that science seriously and innovate in the way that we adapt," she said.

"We've looked carefully at reducing our use generally and trying to get that message out, making sure we can reuse water wherever possible, treated wastewater and the like, but [we need to] finally look at climate independent water sources like desalination. It's a combination of all of those things."

Ms McGurk said all states would "need to be resilient" in dealing with and implementing solutions for the drying climate over the 21st century.

She also indicated the government was continuing to look at more options for "innovative reuse" and long-term solutions for water security.

For Mr Ratcliffe back in Toodyay, it's a return to his truck until orders for water settle down.

"I really enjoy doing this job," he said.

"Some people are so gracious and grateful that you're bringing them water. It's definitely a feel good job, that's for sure."

But all eyes remain on the skies in the hope some much-needed rainfall finally comes.