PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 23, 2025
“Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong,” a documentary by Alex Wolf Lewis and his wife, Kaitlyn Schwalje, about Portland Water District’s East End Wastewater Treatment Facility, is a feature-length film that shines a light on the often-forgotten challenges of wastewater management – and more importantly, on the people tackling them every day. Using humor, energetic shots and quirky animations, the documentary shows the round-the-clock labor of staff as they work to keep the water of Portland clean and healthy. Facing challenges such as PFAS contamination and a sludge disposal crisis in Maine, the film also highlights how wastewater workers manage these problems with dedication to public health and the ability to laugh together in the face of frustrations. Selling out at its first showing at the Portland Museum of Art, the museum has added three additional screenings throughout December.