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 4: EPA Proposes 10-Year Timeline to Remove Most Lead Pipes

December 4, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA thinks most utilities can remove lead pipes within a decade, but a few will not. National security agencies detail recent cyberattacks on water systems by Iran-linked hackers. S. officials attend the UN climate summit in Dubai and pledge to triple nuclear energy capacity globally. CDC report shows multiple uses for pandemic-era wastewater […]

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 27: Army Corps Signs Agreement for Solar Panels above Tribe’s Irrigation Canal

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

The Rundown EPA publishes draft guidance for groundwater pollution regulation enabled by a 2020 U.S Supreme Court decision. A Department of Energy lab reports on the state of the U.S. hydropower market. EPA watchdog announces new investigations into underground injection wells and funding for removing lead drinking water pipes. National Weather Service intends to study […]

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 20: Report Concludes Water Managers “Slow to Adapt” to Climate Changes

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

The Rundown Fifth National Climate Assessment outlines the need to adapt to climate change. EPA requests information on challenges in procuring American-made products for water infrastructure projects. EPA wants volunteers for a committee on CAFO water pollution, while Interior seeks authors for the first-ever National Nature Assessment. Army Corps does not expect salt water 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

Billions in Federal Assistance after New Mexico’s Largest Wildfire. But Little Money to Repair Streams

November 16, 2023/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Stream restoration beset by lack of money and workers.

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 13: EPA Takes Next Step in Nitrate Health Assessment

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

The Rundown EPA’s health assessment division releases protocol for evaluating nitrate in drinking water. EPA orders Minnesota to respond to nitrate pollution of groundwater in the state’s southeast. The White House updates guidance for calculating costs and benefits of federal regulation. GAO reports on non-native mussels in the Columbia River basin and salmon health in […]

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, November 8, 2023: Drought Continues to Cut Ship Capacity at Panama Canal

November 8, 2023/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

Local officials reckon it could take years to restore the damaged drinking water system in Lahaina.

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 6: EPA Grants Tribes’ Request to Scrutinize Tire Chemical that Kills Salmon

November 6, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA will take a closer look at 6PPD, a tire chemical that is toxic to salmon. EPA’s health assessment division resumes a review of the health impacts from nitrate in drinking water. Justice Department Camp Lejeune compensation claims for exposure to contaminated water exceed $3 trillion. Energy Department’s innovation arm considers a biotech-development […]

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

EPA Restarts Assessment of Health Risks from Nitrate in Water

November 2, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

The agency will evaluate the hazards from agriculture’s primary water 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

The Stream, November 1, 2023: Fishers and Scientists Work to Save South America’s Largest Body of Water, Overwhelmed by Oil and Algae

November 1, 2023/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

Anglers and scientists in Venezuela are coming together to clean Lake Maracaibo, South America’s largest lagoon, currently overwhelmed by oil and algae.

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, October 30: Feds Back State-Led Colorado River Conservation Plan

October 30, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Bureau of Reclamation reassesses options for Colorado River water conservation over next three years. The White House asks Congress for $55 billion on domestic disaster relief, other emergencies. The Treasury Department releases a report on climate hazards and household finances. The House approves a 2024 budget for the Army Corps and Interior 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

New Mexico’s Largest Fire Wrecked This City’s Water Source

October 25, 2023/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Era of megafires endangers water supplies in American West.

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, October 23: White House Asks Congress for Billions in Humanitarian Aid

October 23, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Bureau of Reclamation summarizes public comments on managing the Colorado River after 2026, including wishes to analyze a “one dam” option. State Department negotiators continue talks with Canada about updating the Columbia River Treaty. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determines that 21 species are now extinct, including eight freshwater mussels in […]

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