Flow

          Water is the source of life. Without it, we cannot survive. Some have lived without water for forty-eight hours, others eight days, but they all surely die. While water is not an unlimited resource, the largest factor involved in water scarcity is contamination. The film Flow discusses water contamination in full. It also discusses the privatization of water, those benefiting from that privatization, and the effects it has on developing nations.  

            In the United States, our water is contaminated by a number of sources. These range from the cosmetics we use on our faces, hair, and body to the medications we take. A large number of fish off the coast of Texas were found to have Prozac in their bloodstreams. It has also been noted that many birth control pills cause fish to change sex leading to the depletion of fish populations in certain areas. The contaminants are flushed through sewage systems, “purified,” and pumped into oceans. As was taught in elementary school science classes, water goes through a cycle which includes evaporation and precipitation. Therefore, it can be determined that this contaminated water often falls upon our soil.

            Cosmetics are not the only issue involved in water contamination. Corporations are the largest culprits. These include both agricultural corporations and other such factories. In the agricultural industry, a large amount of water is used. This water is used to grow crops, but is also used as drinking water for animals. While a large majority of clean water is being used to sustain animals on industrial agriculture farms, pure water sources are also being contaminated by this same industry. This is caused by runoff of fecal contamination that destroys estuaries, as well as slaughterhouse remnants run off. While this happens a lot in the U.S., it also happens in other countries, such as Bolivia.

            In Flow, the privatization of water in Bolivia is discussed, as well as that in Africa. The Bolivian people protested the privatization of water, but their government did not heed their retort, as they were directed by the World Bank to allow it. The poorest persons in this nation were then unable to purchase water due to a lack of funds. They were unable to pay for the thing necessary for sustaining life. They were enraged, because water had always been free.

            Large companies claim that the privatization of water ensures clean water for developing nations. However, they fail to mention that they are completely unwilling to give this resource for free. They want to make money from their investments. In Africa, specifically, many large water corporations have set up wells of clean water. Persons must pay to gather water from these sources. South Africans in poor, rural areas are advised not to drink water from streams, and are asked to pay for water from these sources. However, they do not have a choice. If you do not have money, paying for clean water is not an option. You are forced to drink the contaminated water, even if it is the source of your mother’s death.

            Large companies make themselves seem like philanthropists who are providing a solution to the problem of water scarcity. However, they are not making the providing a solution at all. They do not view clean water as a necessity, but a commodity. It is advertised to the poorest of the poor and implemented in their communities. But having access to purchasable clean water does not change a person’s financial circumstances or their ability to receive clean water.

            Other persons have created more viable options for the poor. One Indian man implemented a UV water purifying system that offered clean water to villagers for just two American dollars a year per person. There are viable alternatives. But these cannot be implemented until large corporations relinquish control and begin believing that every person, regardless of economic capability, has a right to clean water.