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

SDG Report: Billions Lack Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation at Home

July 12, 2017/in Water News, Water Quality/by Brett Walton

Report is first to track higher standards set by the UN’s sustainable development goals. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue Some 2.1 billion people lack water at home that is free of bacterial contamination and is available when needed, according to a World Health Organization/UNICEF report that sets a baseline against which the world will […]

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 10: Defense Spending Bill Includes Drinking Water Amendments

July 10, 2017/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown House representatives voice concerns in defense bill over chemical contamination of drinking water, Yemen’s water security, and climate change. Water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer declined at a slower pace in the most recent U.S. Geological Survey assessment. Flint gets $US 15 million to evaluate children for lead exposure. The EPA finalized the […]

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

UN Prepares First Evaluation of Higher Standard for Water and Sanitation

July 6, 2017/in Drinking Water, Water News, Water Quality/by Brett Walton

Clean water for all, a sustainable development goal, will be much harder to achieve than past targets. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue When they adopted, in September 2015, a new global agenda for eliminating poverty, the member countries of the United Nations raised the bar for drinking water and sanitation. The sustainable development goals, […]

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 3: EPA, Army Corps Move to Repeal Clean Water Rule

July 3, 2017/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Revoking the Clean Water Rule is the first step in a two-stage process to replace the Obama-era legal definition. A House budget subcommittee keeps a rural water infrastructure grant program mostly intact. Wildlife agencies clear a path for construction of a highly controversial pair of water supply tunnels in California. President Trump nominates […]

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 26: EPA Investigates Chemours’ Chemical Management

June 26, 2017/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Regulators assess whether the chemical company complied with a federal permit for handling a nonstick compound that has been found in drinking water in southeastern North Carolina. The EPA and local officials agree to close seven sewage cesspools on the Big Island of Hawaii. NOAA posts river forecast data online. The National Toxicology […]

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 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

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About Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton