A WATER TRAIL: Birth of a Water Protector - Docu-series

A Water Trail is a powerful and deeply personal documentary that exposes the realities of water injustice in marginalized communities, while also chronicling one woman’s journey through survival, resistance, and advocacy. The film connects the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan, with the devastation of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, drawing a direct line between environmental racism, political negligence, and community resilience.

The docu-series follows the story of a woman who, seeking refuge from Flint's contaminated water crisis, relocates to Puerto Rico, only to be faced with another catastrophe—Hurricane Maria. Amid the chaos, she experiences the heartbreak of losing contact with her youngest child, an emotional rupture that underscores the devastating personal toll of environmental disasters. This experience, however, becomes the catalyst for her advocacy, ultimately leading to the formation of The Sister Tour, a women’s collective born from resistance, resilience, and the urgent need for community empowerment.

At its core, A Water Trail is not just about water—it is about survival, identity, and the fight for justice in systems designed to neglect marginalized voices. The film captures how access to clean, safe water—an essential human right—has been weaponized through government negligence, systemic racism, and disaster mismanagement. From Flint to Puerto Rico, the communities most affected are often the least heard, and this documentary aims to shift that narrative by centering their stories.

The purpose of A Water Trail is multi-layered. First, it seeks to raise awareness about how environmental injustices disproportionately affect marginalized communities, particularly Black, Brown, and Indigenous populations. These communities have historically faced systemic barriers to accessing clean water, proper infrastructure, and effective disaster response. The film highlights how these barriers continue to shape health outcomes, community stability, and the overall quality of life.

Secondly, the documentary is designed to ignite dialogue and action. It aims to push conversations about water justice beyond headlines and into everyday consciousness, encouraging audiences to consider their roles in advocating for systemic change. It asks critical questions about who has access to clean water, who doesn’t, and why these disparities continue.

In addition to highlighting injustice, A Water Trail also focuses on community-led solutions. One of the key themes in the film is the concept of community-controlled water sovereignty. The documentary explores the development of water sovereignty hubs—powered by Atmospheric Water Generators and operated by community members—as a sustainable and empowering solution to combat water scarcity and corruption. This approach represents not only a practical solution but also a shift toward reclaiming control over essential resources.