Erin Brockovich Isn't Done Fighting The Water Crisis — And Neither Are We 

Perhaps you know Erin Brockovich best from her biopic, the award-winning eponymous film released in the year 2000. Brockovich (portrayed by Julia Roberts) finds evidence that the groundwater in Hinkley, California, is contaminated with carcinogenic hexavalent chromium—then fights a direct-action lawsuit against the energy corporation Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for its culpability in the case. Brockovich (spoiler alert) wins the legal battle: A triumphant end, the credits roll, and the work is done...right? 

Not quite. "I began my work in Hinkley when I was 31. I'm now 61, and I think the conversation is more relevant today than it was then," Brockovich says on this episode of the mindbodygreen podcast. Since the famous case, she has become an environmental activist, consumer advocate, and legal clerk—she also recently penned a book titled Superman's Not Coming: Our National Water Crisis and What We the People Can Do About It, and she launched a newsletter, The Brockovich Report, to deliver unfiltered information about what's truly going on with our water.

We might not be dealing with hexavalent chromium, like Brockovich investigated in 2000, but she says other harmful chemicals have been sneaking their way in: "There is one chemical that is the largest emerging contaminant in our water supply today, which is PFOA1." It's a type of "forever chemical" that is typically used as a coating for products like Teflon, firefighting foam, and Scotchgard. When the chemical infiltrates drinking water, it can accumulate in the body—which has been linked to a host of health issues. 

If you're concerned (or just curious) about your tap water, Brockovich recommends calling your municipality. "You should be getting municipal water quarterly reports of what is or isn't in your water," she notes, so you can do your research there. You can also talk to your neighbors about what they're experiencing—or if anything seems off-kilter. And if you're still stuck for answers? Brockovich says you can always visit your local city council. "I encourage them to show up."  

Also take stock of any shifts happening to your body: "If you're taking a shower every day and nothing's wrong, and then suddenly you smell too much chlorine; or your skin starts to develop a rash; or your eyes are watering; or your scalp is itching—you can bet there's been a change to your water," says Brockovich. "And there's a whole host of reasons why that change may be occurring." (We should note: These changes can happen for other reasons, too, not just your water; but it's still important to rule out.)

"Observe what's going on around you; don't be afraid to ask a question; don't be afraid to show up at a city council meeting," says Brockovich. "Listen to that gut, that second brain that you have—it's never wrong." See, you don't have to be a doctor, scientist, or lawyer to know instinctively that something is off with your neighborhood water supply. "You don't have to have that pedigree, if you will, to speak up, speak out, show up, and share information," she adds. "You might actually be surprised at what you find." 

Of course, we are not going to solve this water crisis overnight—but Brockovich says you can start to implement change in your own backyard if you take the time to notice what's going on around you. "Imagine if every single one of us, the minute we had a water problem, followed that kind of protocol across this country. We might start finding more answers," she notes. 

We should also acknowledge that this information can feel overwhelming—we're not trying to scare you into thinking your tap has been poisoned. All Brockovich asks is for you to take a moment to reflect on your surroundings—a few minutes of stillness to reflect on your water.