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, March 31: Taiwan Delays Water Rationing Thanks to Rainfall

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

The Global Rundown Taiwan takes measures to respond to low reservoir levels while drought in western India drives farmers out of villages to find seasonal work. Africa’s largest solar-powered water well is installed in a refugee camp. Rice fields in Vietnam are threatened by salt water. And scientists expect deeper droughts for Australia. “They sweat […]

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, March 30: Polluted River Segments in India Double in Last Five Years

March 30, 2015/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

The Global Rundown India’s rivers are getting dirtier while the prime minister proposes new measures to clean up the Ganges. Maryland’s largest city is telling homes and businesses to pay late water bills or face service cuts. West Virginia’s governor weakened a chemical safety law. A mining company cancels copper project in Peru over 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

Federal Water Tap, March 30: Rules for Fracking on Public Lands and an Analysis of Fracking Fluids

March 30, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown New fracking rules seek to protect water sources while the EPA assesses fracking data. Most of the West already has a federal drought designation. The U.S. Geological Survey reminds Congress that many details about national water use are a black box. A bill to boost funding for tribal irrigation repairs moves out 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

California Drought Is Not Lifting

March 30, 2015/in California, California Drought, Drought, Groundwater, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

Another dry winter forces political pressure for action.

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 Meeting the Colorado River for the First Time

March 26, 2015/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Circle of Blue reporter Brett Walton tastes the iconic river. Photo © Brett Walton / Circle of Blue Circle of Blue’s Brett Walton stands by the Colorado River, in Grand Canyon National Park. Click image to enlarge. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona — The sunlight had not yet flooded the river’s inner canyon on 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

Federal Water Tap, March 23: More Water for Lake Mead, But Record Lows Are on the Horizon

March 23, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Bureau of Reclamation juggles water between the largest reservoirs in the West. An Illinois aquifer gets protected status. A promising drought forecast for the southern Great Plains. Western Governors urge more federal spending on water. Senate Democrats introduce a $US 50 million water infrastructure bill. “The most important thing we have to do […]

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, March 16: U.S. Spy Agencies Take Global Trends Analysis to South by Southwest Conference

March 16, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Gleaning global trends from the trendy. Yucca Mountain proposal needs more analysis – groundwater this time. National Science Foundation opens wallet for water, food, energy. President Obama appoints new White House environmental adviser. Groundwater rule grounded by U.S. Forest Service. Federal water management agencies talk shop in D.C. “The global fresh water supply […]

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

National Groundwater Awareness Week: 21 Stories on the World’s Most Abundant Source of Liquid Freshwater

March 12, 2015/in California, California Drought, Groundwater/by Brett Walton

Circle of Blue reports on groundwater supplies and pollution from California and Texas to India and the Middle East.

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

Des Moines Water Utility to File Nitrate Pollution Lawsuit

March 9, 2015/in North America, Water Law, Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Farming practices are adding harmful nitrates to Iowa’s Raccoon River. The capital city’s water utility will vote at a March 10 board meeting to proceed with a Clean Water Act lawsuit.

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, March 9: Water Is Prominent in Spy Agency’s Worldwide Threat Assessment

March 9, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Water remains on the security agenda. Infrastructure spending drops. Mexico takes steps to address its Rio Grande water deficit. Two water studies, on sewer infrastructure and tribal water use, will be delayed. Tribal water rights agreement signed. U.S.-China water-energy partnership looks for research collaborators. “Several trends are converging that will probably increase 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

Federal Water Tap, March 2: Bureau of Reclamation Will Release No Irrigation Water to Central Valley Farmers

March 2, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown No canal water for Central Valley farmers. House passes bill responding to toxic algae crisis. Michigan representatives target invasive Asian carp while California senators aim to help clean up the San Francisco Bay. The U.S. Supreme Court issues ruling in Kansas v. Nebraska. Rural communities struggle to finance water system improvements. “We cannot […]

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 Cuts Farm Water Allocation to Zero for Second Consecutive Year

February 27, 2015/in California, California Drought, Drought, Groundwater, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

The Central Valley prepares for an unprecedented shortage.

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