When the city turns off their water, seventeen-year old Emily begins to understand why her uncle Dwight thinks the government should keep its hands off people’s lives and property and things they have a right to. Like water. Set in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area in the summer of 2010, Out Stealing Water tells the story of Emily’s increasingly bold schemes to get enough money to leave Phoenix as Dwight struggles to hang on to the family’s ramshackle 2-acre property located in the heart of a rapidly-growing and upscaling university town. The state claims ownership of the property and has issued an eviction notice. Emily’s journey begins when she and her cousin Paula venture onto the university grounds to find a place to shower and wash their hair. Their thefts begin with gym shorts and t-shirts, then escalate to cell phones, IDs and ultimately suitcases at Sky Harbor Airport. As the state’s threat intensifies, Dwight accepts an offer of assistance from an anti-government group, whose philosophies he does not completely embrace.