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

The Most Important Water Stories of 2015

February 9, 2016/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Climate risk and energy development, groundwater and conflict — the political awareness of water grew in 2015. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue California’s continuing drought emergency was one of the big water stories of 2015. Click image to enlarge. By Peter Gleick Pacific Institute Brett Walton Circle of Blue Water was […]

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, February 8: First Flint Hearing in Congress Combines Outrage and Blame

February 8, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown House Oversight Committee hosts first of what will be many Flint hearings while the FBI begins investigating. Water infrastructure bills are introduced in Congress while a fight over Flint funding derails a big energy bill. The nation’s largest dam removal project, on the Klamath River, took a step forward. The U.S. Forest Service […]

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

Sitka, Alaska Still Waits on First Bulk Water Export

February 4, 2016/in United States, Water News/by Brett Walton

City favors contract extension with company that missed $US 1 million payment deadline. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Creative Commons user thedamian The Alaska Department of Natural Resources granted the city of Sitka a permit to export more than 9 billion gallons of water per year from Blue Lake. Alaska Bulk Water Inc. has a […]

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, February 1: Senators Propose $US 600 Million for Flint, Plus House Hearing on the Lead Crisis

February 1, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Michigan senators propose federal funds for Flint while the House Oversight Committee schedules first congressional hearing on the drinking water crisis. Wetland banking program gets federal funding. EPA publishes draft pesticide general permit. The Supreme Court is hearing another Clean Water Act case. A damaged natural gas pipeline beneath the Delaware River 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

Septic Systems Contaminate Drinking Water Wells on Cape Cod

January 28, 2016/in Pollution, United States, Water News/by Brett Walton

Pharmaceuticals, flame retardants, and other organic compounds found in small concentrations in household drinking 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

Circle of Blue Reporter Brett Walton Interviewed about U.S. Water Infrastructure

January 28, 2016/in Infrastructure, United States/by Brett Walton

Brett Walton was featured on radio program about Flint lead crisis and America’s drinking water On January 25, Circle of Blue reporter Brett Walton spoke with Minnesota Public Radio about America’s drinking water infrastructure and how the Flint lead contamination crisis comes at a time when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is updating federal lead […]

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

Expert Council Recommends Eliminating Lead Drinking Water Lines

January 27, 2016/in Infrastructure, United States, Water News/by Brett Walton

Federal rules are not strict enough to prevent lead poisoning

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, January 25: EPA Regional Administrator Resigns over Flint Water Crisis

January 25, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown A change in leadership at EPA Region 5. Obama talks with Flint mayor and directs federal money for water infrastructure improvements. EPA begins internal investigation over Flint response. 2015 was the hottest year on record. Communities get $US 1 billion for climate resiliency. Great Lakes has no surplus water, report says. Republicans call […]

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

Preventing CAFO Water Pollution Not An EPA Priority

January 22, 2016/in United States, Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Inspections continued to decline in 2015. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue A concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), the rectangle in the foreground, is a dark speck on the landscape of Weld County, Colorado. Click image to enlarge. By Brett Walton Circle of Blue Despite designating water pollution from animal waste a […]

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

Could Insurance Markets Help Water Utilities Respond to Drought?

January 20, 2016/in California, California Drought, United States, Water News/by Brett Walton

Drought restrictions and wet summers shake utility budgets. Researchers propose a new financial tool. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue A town in California’s Central Valley touches the edge of an irrigated field. In an era of conservation, urban water utilities must become better financial managers. Click image to enlarge. By Brett […]

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, January 18: Obama Administration Declares Federal Emergency in Flint Water Crisis

January 18, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal aid — in the form of bottled water and filters — will flow to residents in Flint. Science board questions EPA fracking study while EPA’s Bristol Bay mining assessment is cleared of accusations of bias. California congressman introduces bill to settle farm drainage lawsuit. EPA wastewater survey suffers from lack of reporting. […]

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. Governors Address Water

January 15, 2016/in In the Circle/by Brett Walton

State of the State speeches highlight water resources Photo © Brian Lehmann / Circle of Blue Harvesting irrigated corn near Edson, Kansas. In his State of the State speech on January 12, Governor Sam Brownback discussed efforts to conserve the Ogallala Aquifer, which is the lifeblood of irrigated agriculture in western Kansas. Click image 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