Transitions Film Festival 2021: Where There Was Once Water

Here in Melbourne, most of us take for granted that we can turn on the tap and we get a limitless stream of fresh, clean water. But this is not the norm for some people, and not just in the developing world.

Transitions Film Festival 2021 documentary Where There Once Was Water explores the issue of water scarcity, taking a deep dive into water resource management in California – from how remote communities access water, how families grow their own food and how farmers are tackling of the big challenges of the agriculture industry. 

In the Californian desert, some remote First Nations communities’ only access to drinking water is having it delivered by a water truck. What is shocking is that even with the water delivery, these communities are living off an extremely small amount of water.

In one anecdote, the water truck driver tells us that they deliver 450 gallons (about 1,700 litres) of water for a family of 7, which needs to last them one month. That works out to be about 8 litres per person per day. To put this into perspective, Melbourne’s water retailers encourage customers to aim to use 155 litres per person per day, which is usually achievable with water-wise practices. 

Moving beyond household water usage, Where There Once Was Water highlights water’s role in growing EVERYTHING we eat, and the importance of soil and soil health. While on the surface, soil or dirt sounds very unremarkable, the documentary raises awareness of this too-often forgotten resource that at the end of the food and supply chain, it is a really big deal. 

Using examples of innovative practices and speaking to leaders of movements like ‘Eat Less Water’, the documentary also highlights how we as consumers can make water-conscious food purchases and how innovations in agricultural practices are taking huge steps forward in water conservation and soil health. 

While the documentary specifically looks at California, it addresses challenges we face all over the world which are important to understand if we’re to tackle these challenges together. 

The film uses engaging, real-life examples of the people who are leading movements to raise awareness of water and food scarcity, whether it be through advocacy programs or by using innovative approaches to soil, growing food or grazing cattle. 

The film successfully addresses our endless need for water, taking a close look at our relationship with water and soil – one we too often forget beyond taking a shower or growing a veggie patch. 

Transitions Film Festival showcases documentaries about social, environmental and technological innovations that are helping lead the way for a better world. The festival is streaming on-demand from 26 February to 3 March 2021. 

Transitions Film Festival 2021 
Friday 26 February to Monday 15 March 2021
transitionsfilmfestival.com