Watch In Our Water

In Our Water is a 1982 documentary, directed by Meg Switzgable, which provides a harrowing look into the effects of pollutants in the water supply of rural Pennsylvania. The film touches on themes of environmentalism, political activism, and public health. The documentary starts with a group of volunteers, led by Frank Kaler and Rita Kaler, who discover that the water supply in their hometown of Warrick County is contaminated with farm runoff from neighboring counties. The Kalers, who were initially unaware of the extent of the pollution, are shocked to find that their tap water is essentially undrinkable, and that their health is now at risk due to the contamination.

The film uses powerful visuals, including aerial shots of the contaminated rivers and lakes, to create an urgent sense of environmental crisis. Interviews with local residents, many of whom have experienced serious health problems, lend a personal dimension to the story, highlighting the real-life impact of environmental neglect.

As the documentary progresses, we see the Kalers and their allies take on powerful adversaries, including the state government and large agribusiness corporations, in their quest for clean drinking water. The film portrays the Kalers' effort to lobby for more stringent environmental protection laws as a David and Goliath struggle, with the couple up against what seems like insurmountable opposition.

The documentary also touches on the broader themes of corporate greed and government corruption, making the case that these factors are contributing to environmental crises like the one in Warrick County. By revealing the extent of the contamination and the health risks associated with it, the filmmakers hope to inspire audiences to take action to prevent similar environmental disasters from happening elsewhere.

Ted Kordis, a local environmental attorney, features heavily in the documentary as an ally of the Kalers, aiding their advocacy efforts and fighting for their case in court. He provides insight into the complexity of environmental legislation and the challenges faced by those seeking to hold polluters accountable.

The film's use of interviews, archival footage, and statistics helps to build a coherent argument for the need for more effective environmental policies. Its focus on a single community allows for a more intimate look at the effects of pollution on public health, while still highlighting the systemic failings that allow for such pollution to occur in the first place. In this sense, the documentary manages to balance the personal and the political, creating an engaging and informative look at a pressing environmental issue.

Despite its somewhat dated production values, In Our Water remains a powerful and important document of environmental activism. Its message, of the need for greater attention and action on environmental issues, is as relevant today as it was in 1982. It stands as a testament to the power of ordinary citizens to effect meaningful change, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

In Our Water is a 1982 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.