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, September 30: Court Orders EPA to Address Fluoride Risk in Drinking Water

September 30, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal judge rules that the EPA needs to reassess fluoride in drinking water. After another cyberattack against a small water system, federal cybersecurity agency warns utilities to be vigilant. White House approves major disaster declarations for Florida and North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. CDC and local partners use wastewater testing to track 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, September 23: Construction Begins on Mississippi River Saltwater Barrier

September 23, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Army Corps begins building a temporary underwater barrier in the Mississippi River to slow the upstream movement of salt water. BLM publishes final environmental review of a Nevada mining project that could become the largest domestic source of lithium. EPA releases new water quality data tool and will host a webinar tutorial. GAO […]

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, September 16: Amid Higher Risks, CBO Considers How to Expand Disaster Insurance Coverage

September 16, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown CBO analyzes policies to increase disaster insurance coverage and maintain affordability. EPA finds permit violation at agribusiness giant’s carbon capture and sequestration project in Illinois. GAO warns of the potential for cost increases for a multibillion-dollar cleanup of mercury contamination at a Cold War-era nuclear weapons facility in Tennessee. FERC is evaluating 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

Salt Water Again Moves Upstream in Weakened Mississippi River, Endangering Drinking Water

September 10, 2024/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Army Corps builds a temporary barrier to block salt water encroaching on the nation’s largest river.

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, September 9: Army Corps Again Builds Underwater Barrier in Mississippi River to Block Salt Water

September 9, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Army Corps builds a temporary barrier on Mississippi River bed to block upstream movement of salt water that threatens municipal drinking water. EPA announces $7.5 billion in low-interest financing for water infrastructure. Department of Commerce agency wants to know about water and energy obstacles to data center growth in the United States. EPA […]

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, September 3: Government Lawyers Defend EPA Water Quality Standards in Supreme Court Case

September 3, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal lawyers respond to San Francisco’s objection to certain water quality standards for its wastewater treatment plant. Proposed new federal standards to protect workers from extreme heat include stipulations for drinking water. EPA internal watchdog will begin inquiry into U.S. Virgin Islands management capacity for water infrastructure funds. House subcommittee will hold 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, August 26: First National Heat Strategy Focuses on Readiness

August 26, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Agencies publish the first national heat strategy to prepare communities for higher temperatures. Watchdog agency recommends changing the formula for allocating clean water infrastructure funds to states. EPA announces grants to address lead in school drinking water and prepare water providers for natural hazards. Interior Department releases guidelines to apply for $775 million […]

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

War, Drought Cause Spike in Violent Water Conflicts

August 22, 2024/in Water News/by Brett Walton

New report catalogs sharp rise in clashes connected to water in 2023.

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 19: Water Shortage Status Remains on Lower Colorado River

August 19, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Bureau of Reclamation report determines next year’s water releases – and cuts – for the lower Colorado River. Reclamation’s completion of an environmental review paves the way for payments to California farmers not to take Colorado River water. FEMA extends the application period for post-disaster rebuilding grants. USDA wants public input on how […]

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

Some of Arizona’s Most Valuable Water Could Soon Hit the Market

August 12, 2024/in Water News/by Brett Walton

A small tribal community along the Colorado River could become a major player in the state’s 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

Federal Water Tap, August 12: Research Shows Mercury, Streamflow Increase after Western Fires

August 12, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal agencies contribute to research on the post-fire impacts to watersheds. Reclamation will soon release a study that determines water releases next year from the Colorado River’s main reservoirs. EPA hands out $4.3 billion in climate pollution reduction grants. Two senators ask USDA to adjust soil and water conservation programs for Great Plains […]

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 5: Senate Passes Water Infrastructure Bill Before Summer Break

August 5, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown USDA offers farmers in western states cash for conserving water while also maintaining farm output. Defense Department continues to deal with PFAS contamination at military bases. Reclamation begins accepting applications for $450 million in drought resilience funding in the Upper Colorado River basin. GAO assesses EPA cybersecurity approach for water utilities and sourcing […]

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