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, July 30: Bill to Unravel EPA Chemical Toxicity Program Passes House Committee

July 30, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown House Science Committee votes to tear apart EPA’s IRIS program. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revokes an Obama administration policy requiring a net ecosystem benefit from oil, gas, mining, and other such projects. Reclamation criticizes California Water Board’s plan to boost San Joaquin River flows. Retiring House member floats a new infrastructure package […]

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, July 23: EPA Watchdog Criticizes Agency’s ‘Very Collegial’ Flint Response

July 23, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA inspector general blames a cozy relationship between regulators in Flint crisis. EPA finalizes weaker coal waste rules designed to protect groundwater. USDA allocates $267 million for rural water infrastructure. The House sees a bevy of water bills. Army Corps analyzes plan for two northern Colorado dams. USGS ranks California’s oil and gas […]

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

More Evidence of Nitrate Cancer Risk in Drinking Water

July 20, 2018/in Water News, Water Quality/by Brett Walton

Case builds of health damage from a common pollutant.

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

In Flint Water Crisis, EPA’s Friendly Relationship with State Regulators Delayed Use of Legal Authority

July 20, 2018/in Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Despite warning signs, federal authorities were slow to act in Flint, the agency’s internal watchdog says.

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, July 16: FEMA Notes Failures In 2017 Hurricane Response

July 16, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Emergency response agency was not prepared for three major hurricanes. NOAA forecasts a smaller Lake Erie algal bloom than last year. Senate Democrats introduce a bill to provide water infrastructure aid and quicker water quality testing for rural, minority, and tribal communities. The House passes a bill to simplify the process of transferring […]

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

Cape Town’s Harrowing Journey to the Brink of Water Catastrophe

July 12, 2018/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Cape Town, a city of 4 million people, almost turned off its taps.

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

Regulators Will Soon Know A Lot More About Algal Toxins in U.S. Drinking Water

July 10, 2018/in Algae Blooms, Water News, Water Quality/by Brett Walton

For the next two years, water utilities are required to test for ten cyanotoxins.

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, July 9: Pruitt Resigns as EPA Leader

July 9, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown New leadership at the EPA. New Hampshire senators urge immediate action on PFAS. CDC official steps down from Legionella standards committee. And lastly, there are a bunch of meetings on the calendar: the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine hosts its third meeting on reducing Legionella risk in water systems, the EPA […]

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, July 2: Supreme Court Sends Back Florida v. Georgia Water Case

July 2, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown More investigation needed in Florida v. Georgia lawsuit. Federal authorities issue strong warning about Colorado River water supply risk. Pruitt seeks changes in EPA veto authority under Clean Water Act. The CDC links an E. coli outbreak spread through romaine lettuce to irrigation water in Arizona. The EPA grants Oklahoma authority to oversee […]

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, June 25: PFAS Chemicals Harmful at Lower Levels, Health Agency Says

June 25, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown PFAS study provides risk levels for four manmade chemicals. White House proposes massive reorganization of executive branch duties. EPA takes no additional steps to keep oil and chemical spills out of waterways. U.S. water withdrawals continue to decline. Trump executive order focuses on energy resources of Great Lakes and oceans. EPA outlines 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

U.S. Water Withdrawals Continue Marked Decline

June 20, 2018/in Water Management, Water News/by Brett Walton

The country is using less water, but latest USGS report shows influences of California drought on national data.

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, June 18: Reclamation Begins Gila River Diversion EIS

June 18, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Reclamation will review environmental effects of controversial New Mexico water project. Watchdog agency warns Reclamation about insider threats to dam security. Farm Bill passes out of Senate committee. EPA moves forward with WOTUS rule replacement. GAO says that some tribes struggle to operate and maintain water and wastewater systems built by federal grants. […]

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