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

EPA Investigates Chemical Contamination of North Carolina River

June 23, 2017/in Drinking Water, Water News, Water Quality/by Brett Walton

Nonstick chemical was found downstream of Chemours’ Fayetteville manufacturing facility. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will investigate whether the chemical company Chemours complied with a federal permit for the production and cleanup of an industrial chemical that has been detected for at least four years in the Cape Fear […]

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 19: Pipeline Regulators Investigate Suspicious Diesel Fuel in Ohio Spill

June 19, 2017/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Rover Pipeline LLC agreed not to use diesel in its drilling fluid, but that’s what Ohio regulators found. House members push back against Trump’s proposed EPA budget cuts. A Senate committee forwards a Yakima River watershed bill to the Senate. The potential range for Lake Erie’s annual summer algal bloom narrows. The USGS […]

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 Probe, Five Officials Face Involuntary Manslaughter Charge

June 16, 2017/in Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Criminal investigation touches off dispute at top level of state government. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue Update: In October 2017, prosecutors charged a sixth public official for involuntary manslaughter. The state of Michigan’s wide-ranging criminal investigation of the Flint water crisis reached the top levels of state government after Attorney General Bill Schuette filed […]

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 12: House Members Question Defense Secretary on Firefighting Chemicals

June 12, 2017/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Three Pennsylvania congressmen want answers from the Defense Department about use of firefighting foams that have contaminated groundwater. A California water district gets a permit to build a pipeline to deliver desalinated water from Mexico. A Colorado congressman asks the EPA to drop a stormwater pollution lawsuit. The EPA’s internal watchdog is beginning […]

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

California Hones Drinking Water Affordability Plan

June 8, 2017/in Water Management, Water News, Water Pricing/by Brett Walton

State considers four options as it designs nation’s first statewide affordability program.

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 5: Wet May Results in More Severe Lake Erie Algal Bloom Forecast

June 5, 2017/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Lake Erie’s annual algal bloom could be worse than normal after rainy weeks increased the nutrient load. The EPA and Interior Department would not release reports that identify regulations that the agencies could target for revision or repeal. The Interior Department courts private investment in federal water projects. The U.S. Forest Service proposes […]

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, May 30: EPA Moves to Postpone Power Plant Water Pollution Rule

May 30, 2017/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA will delay and review a rule designed to reduce power plant discharges of toxic metals into rivers and lakes. The EPA begins a science review to model how consuming lead in drinking water increases blood lead levels in children. Hydropower generation increased in 2016 because of more favorable water supply conditions […]

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

To Avoid Drought Calamity, Cape Town Restricts Water Use

May 30, 2017/in Africa, Drought, South Africa, Water Management, Water News/by Brett Walton

Reservoirs supplying city of 4 million are nearing bottom during record-setting drought. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue “If it’s yellow, let it mellow,” reads a May 24 post on the Cape Town city government’s Facebook page. “Flushing only when needed can help save up to 9 liters (2.4 gallons) of water per flush.” Every […]

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 Agency, in Course Correction, Courts Private Investment

May 25, 2017/in Infrastructure, Water Management, Water News/by Brett Walton

Bureau of Reclamation showcases five water projects for private investors. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue In early May, Bureau of Reclamation officials gathered the world’s top builders and bankers for a meeting at the Sheraton West hotel conference room in Lakewood, Colorado, a Denver suburb that abuts Rocky Mountain foothills. Reclamation faces a conundrum. […]

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, May 22: Interior Department Suspends Work of Advisory Committees

May 22, 2017/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Interior Department told dozens of advisory committees, including one on water data and monitoring, to halt work until September. An Air Force Base in Washington state continues to find private wells contaminated by firefighting chemicals. The initial Lake Erie algal forecast is for a mild bloom, though that could change with heavy […]

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

Price of Water 2017: Four Percent Increase in 30 Large U.S. Cities

May 18, 2017/in Water Management, Water News, Water Pricing/by Brett Walton

Utilities test new rates, look beyond the ratepayer for revenue.

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

Philadelphia Water Rate Links Payments to Household Income

May 16, 2017/in Water Management, Water News, Water Pricing/by Brett Walton

City utility prepares nation’s first water rate based on annual earnings. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue Running for a Philadelphia City Council seat in November 2007, Maria Quinones-Sanchez won election as a champion of affordable housing. In office, Quinones-Sanchez and her staff soon discovered that housing was neither the beginning nor the end of […]

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