Must-See Water Film Review: “Blue Gold: World Water Wars” (Aquadoc)

Dec.31, 2008 in Drought, Water Crisis, Water Industry, Water Rights

(Dec. 27, 2008, Aquadoc)

I was warned by a colleague that “my head would explode” if I watched the film, Blue Gold: World Water Wars, that is based on the similarly-titled book by Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke. I viewed the film three times, and all is still intact. I have not read the book.

I could spend far more time reviewing some of the claims the film makes but cannot afford the time, so I will stick to brief mention of the good points and the most blatant examples of misinformation…

What I liked:

Visually impressive

Discussion about sea water desalination and its high current energy costs

Emphasis on community-based actions and solutions

No great affinity for bottled water

Prior appropriation water law and its seeming discouragement of conservation (from Robert Glennon of Water Follies fame)

Pollution problems

Owens Lake – Los Angeles’ “‘water grab” in the early 20th century

Ryan’s Well Foundation, founded by Canadian Ryan Hreljac

Discussion of the Atlanta-Suez and Cochabamba-Bechtel fiascos

No fondness for the World Bank

Deleterious effects of dams (but neglected decommissioning issues)

Urban vs. rural water issue – retiring ag land for urban water

Support for a human right to water

Effects of excessive ground water pumping: sinkholes, land subsidence