Jo in the Water follows a passionate sea swimmer turned reluctant activist, Exmouth-based Jo Bateman, as she takes on one of the UK’s biggest water companies in a David-and-Goliath battle to protect our waters from devastating sewage pollution.

In the wake of Channel 4’s recent hard-hitting docu-drama, which has left many people both angry and frustrated, Jo in the Water picks up the baton from Dirty Business and seeks out joy and inspiration amongst the many amazing individuals fighting to make a difference.

As Jo’s courage helps ignite a growing movement, this film exposes the dire state of our water system and asks: who will stand up for our right to swim in clean natural waters, for the species and communities that rely upon them? 

Jo in the Water is a feature-length documentary made by award-winning filmmakers with a strong track record of bringing powerful stories to our cinema screens. It is not just about water pollution; it is about connection—to nature, to our own sense of place, and to our responsibility for the world around us. 

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Director Pip Piper
Year 2026
Language English