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

Federal Water Tap, November 28: EPA Determines Pennsylvania Will Not Meet Chesapeake Bay Pollution-Reduction Goal

November 28, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Because Pennsylvania will miss a 2025 deadline for Chesapeake Bay improvements, the EPA will continue stricter oversight of the state’s polluters. The DHHS office that oversees water and energy bill assistance will collect demographic data on grant recipients. Federal agencies release a draft environmental review of Tijuana River sewage projects. The Biden administration […]

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, November 23, 2022: Behind the Scenes at Qatar’s World Cup, Vast Water-Making Apparatus Must Keep Country Hydrated

November 23, 2022/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN The 2022 World Cup kicked off in Qatar amid concerns of water shortages and the environmental impact of large-scale desalination. On the final day of COP27, nations agreed to establish a “loss and damage fund” for countries most vulnerable to climate change. Another worker died in Indonesia during construction of a 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, November 21: Klamath Dam Removal Approved by Energy Regulator

November 21, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The nation’s largest dam removal clears a major hurdle by gaining federal approval. Senate committees advance tribal water rights legislation and water-related bills. The EPA Office of the Inspector General begins three audits: Jackson’s drinking water troubles, lead drinking water pipes, and compliance with public notification laws for lead in drinking water. 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

The Stream, November 16, 2022: UN Climate Summit Hosts First ‘Water Day’ at COP27

November 16, 2022/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

At the UN climate summit, world leaders hear the importance of water in climate response.

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, November 14: Lake Erie Pollution Limit Would Be Required by Proposed Consent Decree

November 14, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA proposes a Lake Erie pollution settlement. The EPA also announces funding for children’s health research in rural farm communities. President Biden reveals climate adaptation funds at UN summit. FEMA outlines the claims process for damages from New Mexico’s largest wildfire. And lastly, NOAA hosts a webinar on Mississippi River drought 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

New Satellite Will See Water’s Big Picture

November 14, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

SWOT mission aims to fill global gaps in key water data.

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

2022 Election Recap: Landslide Victory for Florida City’s ‘Right to Clean Water’ Amendment

November 10, 2022/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Voters approved most water-related initiatives on the November 8 ballot.

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, November 9: Aftermath of Drought and Flood Hurts Children in Kenya, Pakistan

November 9, 2022/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

Extreme weather fueled by a warming planet is devastating children in Kenya and Pakistan.

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

FRESH, November 8, 2022: Ontario Government Proposes Less Strict Wetlands Protections

November 8, 2022/in Fresh/by Brett Walton

The conservative government in Ontario is pushing for changes to the province’s wetlands policy that would loosen protections for “provincially significant wetlands.”

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

November 7: Supreme Court Takes Up Navajo Nation’s Claim to Colorado River

November 7, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Supreme Court takes up a case regarding the Navajo Nation’s rights to the Colorado River. The EPA publishes a new list of unregulated drinking water contaminants that could be regulated in the future. EPA drinking water advisers will meet at the end of November. USGS researchers investigate contaminants in groundwater used for […]

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

Slow to Start, Federal Water Bill Assistance Program Ramps Up

November 3, 2022/in Water News/by Brett Walton

New program encounters many hurdles.

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, November 2, 2022: Russian Airstrikes Damage Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine, Cutting Off Water

November 2, 2022/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

Russian airstrikes hit energy facilities in Ukraine earlier this week, cutting off water to most people in Kyiv.

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