Entries by Brett Walton

Reservoirs in Parched Chennai, City of Millions, Are Dry. Can Better Forecasting Avert Future Crises?

The megacity in southern India, as it waits for the monsoon, is not the first to run short of water. It won’t be the last.

Chicago’s New Mayor, In Rare Move, Considers Water Shutoff Ban

Few cities have complete bans on the practice. But some restrict when water can be turned off and which residents are eligible.

Price of Water 2019: Even Without Federal Infrastructure Deal, Cities Continue to Invest

The rising price of water continues to raise questions about affordability for households at the bottom of the income distribution.

Federal Water Tap, June 17: Senators Release PFAS Bill Package

The Rundown The legislation aims to force the EPA to regulate at least two PFAS chemicals in drinking water and monitor many others. Because of heavy spring rains, researchers forecast a large Lake Erie algal bloom and Gulf of Mexico dead zone. Eight senators call for more oversight of British Columbia mines that could harm […]

Federal Water Tap, June 10: EPA Tries to Limit State Clean Water Act Reviews

The Rundown Disputes over energy infrastructure that states rejected because of water pollution concerns is at the center of an EPA memo seeking to limit state authority. President Trump signs a $19.1 billion disaster aid bill. The White House rejects an intelligence analyst’s written statement for a House climate change hearing. Transportation regulators release a […]

With Heavy Spring Rains, Lake Erie Algal Bloom Forecast Gets Worse and Worse

The latest Lake Erie forecast projects a large buildup of harmful cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, this summer.

Two Hurricanes, Two Floods: North Carolina Town Fights To Stay Alive

Brett WaltonBrett 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 […]

Aging Sewer System Imperils North Carolina Town’s Finances

Brett WaltonBrett 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 […]

The Rural Dilemma: Q&A With Al Leonard, Fair Bluff Town Manager

Brett WaltonBrett 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 […]

Photo Gallery: Scenes from Fair Bluff

Brett WaltonBrett 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 […]

Federal Water Tap, June 3: Mississippi Flood Fight Continues

The Rundown The Army Corps increases releases from swollen reservoirs in the Mississippi River watershed but delays opening an emergency spillway in Louisiana. Lake Ontario is at a record high as Great Lakes water levels continue to rise as well. A national laboratory reports on hydropower as a key cog in electric grid resilience. FEMA […]

In Mississippi River Flood Fight, Army Corps Prepares to Open Rarely Used Spillway

The Morganza spillway will redirect some of the river’s surging waters to protect Louisiana’s big cities and its levee system.