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, December 13: Jet Fuel Leak Contaminates Water on Oahu Naval Base

December 13, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The FDA, in an overhaul of food safety rules, proposes eliminating an irrigation water testing requirement in favor of farm-wide assessments. A pipeline company faces criminal penalties after spilling 29 million gallons of oilfield wastewater in North Dakota. An executive order requires federal agencies to establish energy and water conservation A fuel leak […]

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

The Year in Water, 2021

December 9, 2021/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Water Crises Take Center Stage

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, December 6: Senate Bill Would Allow Arizona Tribe to Lease Colorado River Water

December 6, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Arizona senators introduce a bill to allow off-reservation leasing of Colorado River water by the Colorado River Indian Tribes. The USDA will survey Wisconsin homes and businesses near farmland to learn about contaminants in private wells. The EPA allocates $7.4 billion in water and sewer funds from the infrastructure bill to states, tribes, […]

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

Rising Cost of Water in Michigan Leads to Affordability Problems

December 2, 2021/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

A growing number of Michigan households are burdened by high water bills, report finds.

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

Utah’s Water Dilemma

November 29, 2021/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Record-breaking drought along the Wasatch Front forces tough decisions about water supply.

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, November 29: In Closely Watched Groundwater Case, Justices Rule in Favor of Tennessee

November 29, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Supreme Court issues a ruling in Mississippi v. Tennessee, a first-ever case over an interstate groundwater dispute. The U.S. Geological Survey compiled a national map showing the depth from which groundwater is withdrawn for drinking water. The USGS also is sampling river systems for cyanobacteria and the toxins they produce. 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

Federal Water Tap, November 22: Big Water Items in House-Approved Build Back Better Act

November 22, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The House, by a narrow margin, passed the Build Back Better Act that has billions for lead pipe removal, drinking water systems, and more. The EPA proposes reinstating the Clean Water Act definition that existed before 2015. Two federal agencies sign an order affirming their duty to protect the interests of Native American […]

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, November 15: Justice Department Opens EJ Investigation of Sewage Pollution in Alabama

November 15, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

Justice Department investigators will scrutinize state and local health agencies in an Alabama county notorious for sewage failures.

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

Households Still Have Not Received Aid from New Federal Water Bill Assistance Program

November 10, 2021/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

A new federal assistance program is slow to launch.

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, November 8: Lawmakers Attempt to Throttle Flood Insurance Increases…Plus, Infrastructure Bill Passes

November 8, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown House lawmakers try to slow down federal flood insurance premium increases. The House passed an infrastructure package that includes a historic federal investment in water systems. Congressional Republicans introduce a bill that would narrowly define the scope of the Clean Water Act. The Bureau of Reclamation will not conduct a flood release this […]

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

2021 Election Recap: New York Voters Approve Clean Water Constitutional Amendment

November 3, 2021/in Water News/by Brett Walton

High-profile water-related issues were also on the ballot in Maine, Boise, and Virginia Beach.

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, November 1: Build Back Better Act Directs Billions for Lead Pipes and Other Water Concerns

November 1, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The compromise on the federal spending bill still includes significant water investments. The White House releases a report on international climate migration and the role of the U.S. government. Under a draft consent decree, the EPA agrees to a deadline for issuing new consumer confidence report rules. An EPA report finds that GenX, […]

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