RIVER FALLS – Two locally produced documentary short films examining drinking water contamination in rural Wisconsin will be screened Feb. 5 at the historic Falls Theatre in downtown River Falls, offering residents and visitors a chance to engage with stories centered on water quality in the state.
The free public event will feature The Right to Know and A Seething Underneath, short documentaries that explore how contaminants such as nitrates and E. coli impact private wells across rural Wisconsin. The films highlight families who rely on well water and the challenges they face without regular testing requirements, notification systems or consistent state support.
Situated along the Kinnickinnic River and surrounded by bluffs, trout streams and public lands River Falls provides a fitting backdrop for a conversation about water quality and stewardship in western Wisconsin. The films center on real experiences from across the state, underscoring how water contamination affects health, agriculture and daily life in rural communities.
“These are Wisconsin stories, told by Wisconsinites,” Western Organizer and event host Quinn Rowe said. “They reflect issues many families in our area and the surrounding region can relate to, especially those who depend on private wells for drinking water.”
Doors open at 5:15 p.m., with the screening beginning at 5:45 p.m. at the Falls Theatre, 105 N. Main Street. The event is free and open to the public, though attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance. Concessions will be available for purchase.
The screening is part of an ongoing visual storytelling initiative led by Nels Lindquist, visual storytelling manager for Wisconsin Conservation Voters, aimed at documenting the people, places and environmental issues shaping Wisconsin’s future. The continuing work includes an expanding collection of powerful short-form documentaries available online.
Organizers hope the evening will spark conversation, raise awareness and bring together community members who care about water quality and the future of Wisconsin’s natural resources.
For more information or to RSVP visit the WCV website. To explore more content and videos about conservation issues around the state visit our YouTube channel and subscribe for new content updates that might affect people in the communities you cover.
Calendar listing:
Documentary film screening: A free public screening of two short documentaries, The Right to Know and A Seething Underneath, examining drinking water contamination in rural Wisconsin. The films explore issues affecting private wells, including nitrates and E. coli, and feature stories from Wisconsin families. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.; screening begins at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Falls Theatre, 105 N. Main St., River Falls. Free and open to the public; RSVP requested. Concessions available for purchase.
