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, March 18: Trump Budget Proposes Big Cuts

March 18, 2019/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown President Trump once again recommends cutting spending. Historic floods sweep through the Missouri River basin. Trump signs a big public lands bill. The Defense Department objects to stricter PFAS cleanup standards. The GAO reports on disaster recovery in Puerto Rico. The Bureau of Reclamation publishes a final environmental review of two linked reservoir […]

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

Is U.S. Groundwater Quality Getting Better or Worse? It’s Hard to Say

March 14, 2019/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Too little data so far for main national monitoring network.

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

Fire and Water: Paradise, California

March 11, 2019/in California, Water News/by Brett Walton

In Paradise, CA, those faced with rebuilding homes and businesses are faced with a grand challenge: how to restart the town’s imperiled water system.

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 11: Dams, A Mine, and PFAS

March 11, 2019/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown California Republicans aim to redirect federal funds for high-speed rail into water storage projects. FEMA only partially reimburses California for Oroville Dam repairs. The Trump administration orders rapid scientific review of California water proposal. The Army Corps approves a large copper mine in southeastern Arizona. New Mexico representatives introduce a bill to respond […]

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

Severe Drinking Water Contamination Surfaces After Brutal Camp Fire

March 6, 2019/in California, United States, Water News/by Brett Walton

California town’s water pipes fouled by benzene and other toxic compounds.

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

With Alternate Water Sources, Some Paradise Businesses Reopen

March 6, 2019/in Water News/by Brett Walton

County health department requires trucked-in water for restaurants.

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

Scenes From Paradise, Four Months After the Camp Fire

March 6, 2019/in Water News/by Brett Walton

The Camp Fire was the most destructive in California’s history. Recovery will take years.

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

‘It Will Probably Resemble a Military Operation’: Q&A with Andrew Whelton on Recovery of Paradise Water System

March 6, 2019/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Andrew Whelton leads a Purdue University research team that is advising the town’s water utility.

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 4: EPA Misses Lead and Copper Rule Deadline

March 4, 2019/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Another delay in updating federal rules for lead and copper in drinking water. The Senate confirms Andrew Wheeler as EPA administrator. House Democrats propose to increase corporate taxes to raise up to $35 billion for water infrastructure. A big public lands package clears both chambers of Congress. Transportation regulators finalize rules requiring oil […]

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 Stream, March 1: Tidal Flooding Cuts Billions of Dollars from U.S. Property Values

March 1, 2019/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

The Global Rundown Rising seas and more frequent floods during high tide are reducing home values along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The leader of Canada’s Assembly of First Nations calls for investment in water infrastructure and new national laws to secure safe water for indigenous communities. After a series of storms, California’s snowpack […]

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 Stream, February 28: Toledo Voters Approve Lake Erie Bill of Rights

February 28, 2019/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

The Global Rundown A Toledo ballot measure, which was approved by a large margin, adds to the growing recognition of the legal rights of nature. Michigan officials release results of statewide drinking water testing for PFAS chemicals. Los Angeles aims to recycle 100 percent of its wastewater by 2035. An indigenous community in Saskatchewan is […]

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 Stream, February 27: Severe Flooding Prompts Evacuation Order for More Than Two Dozen Northern California Communities

February 27, 2019/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

The Global Rundown The rising Russian River, swollen with rain, prompts evacuations north of San Francisco. Pharmaceutical concentrations in rivers and lakes are increasing worldwide. More than half of wastewater treatment plants in South Africa are in poor or critical condition. A bill in the Idaho Senate that would address excessive groundwater pumping fails to […]

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