Join us for a special screening of the award-winning documentary Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong, followed by a conversation with Co-director Alexander Wolf Lewis and wastewater professionals featured in the film.
What does it take to keep a wastewater treatment plant running, day after day, no matter what challenges arise? And what happens when the people responsible for protecting public health and the environment finally get their moment in the spotlight?
At WEFTEC 2026, we’re bringing the water community together for a special screening of Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong, a documentary that takes audiences behind the scenes of a wastewater treatment plant in Portland, Maine, and introduces the dedicated professionals who keep it running.
Directed by Kaitlyn Schwalje and Alexander Wolf Lewis, the film follows Portland Water District’s Dustin Price and his team as they navigate aging infrastructure, emerging contaminants, public misconceptions, and the everyday challenges of operating a critical public service. Through humor, heart, and an unfiltered look at life inside a treatment plant, the documentary shines a light on the people whose work often goes unnoticed, even as millions of Americans depend on it every day.
The film has earned recognition at documentary film festivals across the country, including the Fowlie Audience Award at the 2025 Camden International Film Festival and the Audience Choice Award at the New Hampshire Film Festival.
“As a creative team, we believe in telling stories one might dismiss as too ordinary to warrant attention. We like systems and people that generally fly under the public’s radar. The collective surprises and personalities we uncover work to transform a once ordinary topic into something extraordinary. For this film, we reveal a mind-blowing network of hidden pumps and pipes and people that keeps our waste out of sight and our cities running. Screening at WEFTEC is the culmination of years of hard work and the support of a long list of people that displayed unwavering support.”
— Alexander Wolf Lewis, Co-director
Get a first look at the film:
Go Behind the Scenes with the Filmmaker and the Professionals Featured in the Film
Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from the people who brought this story to life during a special Q&A.
The discussion will feature:
- Scott Firmin, General Manager, Portland Water District
- Dustin Price, Wastewater Treatment Chief Operator, Portland Water District
- Alexander Wolf Lewis, Co-Director, Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong
Additional panelists may be announced.
From the realities of operating a wastewater treatment facility to the experience of bringing the industry’s often-unseen work to the big screen, the conversation will explore the challenges, personalities, and perspectives behind the documentary.
Whether you work in operations, engineering, utility management, or another corner of the water sector, this is an opportunity to see the profession through a different lens and celebrate the people who make it all happen.
Join Us for the Screening
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Location: Hilton Riverside, New Orleans | Grand Ballroom AB, 1st Floor
Make it part of your WEFTEC experience! Add the screening to your schedule in the WEF Events Mobile App or Online Planner so you can easily find the event details and plan your day.
Interested in attending? Let us know by submitting an RSVP.
Please note: Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Submitting an RSVP expresses your interest in attending but does not guarantee admission. We encourage you to arrive early to secure a seat.