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 Stream, September 2: El Nino Could Be Strongest on Record But Arctic Warming Complicates Forecasts

September 2, 2015/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

The Global Rundown The eastern Pacific Ocean continues to warm, but predicting rainfall is an uncertain business. India’s subpar monsoon leads to water cuts in the country’s largest city, and drought in Zambia prompts power cuts to save water. Meanwhile, water managers in Australia reckon that an idled desalination plant might be back in 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

The Stream, September 1: Saudi Arabia, Jordan Sign Agreement Over Shared Aquifer

September 1, 2015/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

The Global Rundown Neighbors in the Middle East sign a rare groundwater agreement. A tax increase helps Minnesota study its rivers and lakes, while drought in Nevada drains Walker Lake. Algae blooms cut property values in Vermont. Green groups in India rally against a canal project. “We just pray that they could build the dam […]

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, August 31: Tennessee Valley Coal Ash Ponds Begin Journey to Closure

August 31, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA completes a quick internal review of Colorado mine spill. Pesticides in U.S. rivers generally rise and fall with farm use. Tennessee Valley Authority plans to close coal ash ponds. Regulators prepare a new national pipeline map. California desalination plant begins environmental review. “If another country threatened to wipe out an American town, […]

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, August 31: Chinese Officials Discuss Measures to Curb Water Pollution

August 31, 2015/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

The Global Rundown China’s top executive body addresses drinking water pollution. A grandiose engineering project in India faces delay. Cuba, in a drought, will shoot chemicals into clouds, to induce rain. Alaska’s glaciers are getting baked. Infrastructure is an emerging issue in Canada’s national election. “This election is a clear choice between smart investments that […]

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

‘Disastrous Year’ for North Cascades Glaciers Heralds Global Decline

August 28, 2015/in Climate Change, Drought, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

Record heat in 2015 is melting glaciers at an eye-popping pace.

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

After Dry Wells, Relief for Some California Families

August 25, 2015/in California, California Drought, Groundwater/by Brett Walton

State and local aid is helping, but only for a few.

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, August 24: Lake Mead Rises While California’s Central Valley Sinks

August 24, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Wet spring boosts Lake Mead above shortage levels. Groundwater pumping causes parts of the Central Valley to sink. Scientists find low levels of insecticides in streams. An investigation of the EPA’s mining spill in Colorado begins while the EPA mulls new industrial water pollution standards. The White House issues a summary of its […]

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 Drought and Strengthening El Nino Accelerate Statewide Water Transition

August 21, 2015/in California, California Drought, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

New infrastructure, laws, and practices help the state respond to hydrologic extremes, but more are needed. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue California’s canal system moves water hundreds of miles from the Sierra Nevada foothills to Los Angeles and San Diego. Adapting to 21st century water conditions requires less reliance on energy-hungry […]

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 Drought Policy Need Not Wait for Congress

August 19, 2015/in California, California Drought, Drought, North America, Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Natural resources agencies have the authority to change practices on their own, conservation groups argue.

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, August 17: Animas River Mining Spill Prompts Legislative Proposal

August 17, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown A New Mexico senator wants to institute royalties for hardrock mining. President Obama signs algae legislation. Clean Power Plan will deliver water benefits. Nuclear regulators release Yucca Mountain groundwater report. The EPA considers easing the path for Indian tribes to administer Clean Water Act standards. National Science Foundation gives out water-energy-food research 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

EPA Clean Power Plan Delivers Significant Benefits for Water

August 14, 2015/in North America, Water & Energy, Water News/by Brett Walton

Cutting carbon emissions from power plants will lead to reductions in water use, water withdrawals, and mercury pollution in rivers and lakes. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue A wind farm rises in the Illinois plains, west of Chicago. Wind power uses no water to generate electricity. Click image to enlarge. By […]

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

On the Value of Water and the Pain of Drought in the American West

August 10, 2015/in California/by Brett Walton

Circle of Blue reporter Brett Walton says that drought is forcing the public to confront important questions about the value of water. Photo © Brett Walton / Circle of Blue Drift boats carry fly fishermen down the Madison River, in southwestern Montana. Click image to enlarge. ENNIS, Montana — As roads go, the shoulder 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