Brett Walton

About Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club's Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton

Federal Water Tap, April 10: EPA’s Proposed Strengthening of Air Pollution Standards Comes with Water Benefit

April 10, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown An EPA proposal to cut mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants would decrease water pollution and accumulation of pollutants in fish. President Biden vetoes a Clean Water Act rollback. An EPA survey of drinking water utilities estimates the number of lead service lines. The EPA allocates FY2023 drinking water funds under the federal […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, April 3: DHHS Seeks Household Water Debt Data

April 3, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal agency wants to understand household water debt. Congress disapproves of the Biden administration’s WOTUS rule. Water bills introduced in Congress relate to infrastructure funding, Snake River dams, environmental justice, evapotranspiration data, and tribal water rights settlements. The EPA proposes changes to Consumer Confidence Reports for drinking water. And lastly, the White House […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

UN Water Conference Marked by Enthusiasm, Uncertainty

March 31, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Conference produces more than 700 commitments for water.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Great Lakes Take Global Stage

March 28, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

UN Water Conference highlights risks and opportunities for the Great Lakes region.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, March 27: U.S. Delegation Attends United Nations Water Conference

March 27, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown At the UN Water Conference, the government commits funding for water and sanitation. President Biden designates two new national monuments, in Nevada and Texas. A law to compensate marines and their families for exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has spawned a battle over potentially billions in lawyers’ fees. A U.S. Department […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

UN Conference on Water Aims to Rally Support for Ambitious Goals

March 20, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Global water challenges headline gathering in New York City this week.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, March 20: EPA Draft Proposal Expands Number of PFAS Regulated in Drinking Water

March 20, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA targets six PFAS in its draft drinking water regulation. Representatives in Congress introduce water-related bills on Superfund, lead pipe removal, cybersecurity, and contaminated wells. A white paper investigates potential solutions to Rio Grande water deliveries. The Supreme Court will hear an influential case this week involving tribal water rights to the […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Majority Say Water Supply and Pollution ‘Very Serious’ Problems

March 15, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Global public opinion poll measures views on freshwater challenges.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, March 13: EPA Proposes Stronger Wastewater Rules for Coal-Fired Power Plants

March 13, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA rules target three waste streams from coal-fired power plants. President Biden’s budget proposal would increase EPA funding and allow energy bill assistance funds to be used for water bill assistance. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists two freshwater mussel species as threatened. NOAA measurements of ocean surface temperatures indicate that La […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Tax Incentives Find New Purpose for Conserving Water in American West

March 9, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Conservation easements protect the region’s depleted groundwater.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, March 6: EPA Issues Cybersecurity Order for Water Utilities

March 6, 2023/in Water News/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA orders water utilities to detail cybersecurity plans. Upper Colorado River states want Reclamation to halt releases of extra water into Lake Powell. The EPA details funding for disadvantaged communities to address emerging contaminants like PFAS. Congress kicks into gear with hearings on wildfire, train derailment, cryptocurrency mining, and flood insurance. And lastly, […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Flush with Cash, State Lawmakers Consider Water Risks

February 13, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Water is poised for prominence this year in state law and policy.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

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About Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton