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, February 24: Trump Visit Inflames California Water Tensions

February 24, 2020/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Trump visits California’s Central Valley, directs his agencies to increase farm water deliveries, and is promptly sued by California. The EPA says it plans to regulate two PFAS chemicals in drinking water, and reaffirms a rural water partnership. The USGS surveys drinking water quality in the coalfields of southern West Virginia, and finds […]

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 Need Is Significant’: Fast-Growing Michigan County Confronts Groundwater Challenges

February 21, 2020/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Ottawa County, Michigan, attempts to balance population growth and groundwater sustainability.

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 17: Planet’s Hottest January Ever Measured, NOAA Finds

February 17, 2020/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Water legislation introduced in Congress targets microplastic pollution, faulty septic systems, and buckled canals in California. The GAO recommends incorporating climate change planning into federally funded drinking water and sewer projects. The National Weather Service signals higher than normal flood risk this spring for the eastern Missouri River basin. Federal agencies are scheduled […]

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

North Carolina Panel Approves Bailout for Indebted Sewer System

February 13, 2020/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Cliffside Sanitary District, which serves around 75 customers, is under state control because of financial hardship.

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

Who Pays? PFAS Lawsuits, Legislation Raise Question of Pollution Liability

February 12, 2020/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Wastewater utilities, whose facilities are a conduit for chemical pollution, object to Democratic proposals in Congress that could hold them liable for the cost of PFAS removal.

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 10: Defense Department Watchdog Begins PFAS Investigation

February 10, 2020/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Inspector general will assess the Defense Department’s response to toxic PFAS chemicals. The House approves lake and estuary legislation. Army Corps approves wetlands-for-sewage-treatment swap in Alaska. State Department officials discuss Central Asian hydropower initiative. The EPA’s survey of drinking water infrastructure funding needs will add new questions on lead service lines. And lastly, […]

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 3: Early Flood Warnings in the Upper Midwest

February 3, 2020/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Army Corps sounds an alarm over flood risks in the upper Mississippi River basin. House Democrats outline a $760 billion infrastructure package that includes some money for water projects. Bernie Sanders introduces bills on PFAS chemicals and a fracking ban. Other water bills advance out of a House committee. U.S. Geological Survey […]

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

As Iowa Caucuses Approach, Where Do Democratic Candidates Stand on Water?

January 30, 2020/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Water issues are gaining new prominence in the Democratic presidential race as candidates react to rising public concerns about water issues.

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 27: Trump Administration Completes Clean Water Act Revision

January 27, 2020/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Administration diminishes the scope of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court says that a lawsuit against local and state officials related to lead contamination in Flint can proceed. The EPA requires industrial facilities to report emissions of 160 PFAS chemicals. A Senate bill would place a moratorium on new concentrated animal feeding […]

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. Food Trade Increasingly Leans On Unsustainable Groundwater

January 23, 2020/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

It takes water to grow crops, and an increasing portion of the US’s irrigation water is unsustainably mined from groundwater sources.

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 20: Trump Aims at Two Water Rules in Farm Bureau Speech

January 20, 2020/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown At a Farm Bureau meeting, President Trump highlighted his administration’s rollback of Obama-era clean water rules and asked the Army Corp to withdraw a proposed rule governing water supplies in its reservoirs. Legislation introduced in Congress aims to ban mining near a Minnesota wilderness area, prioritize coastal carbon sequestration, guard individual water rights, […]

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. Water Data, Refreshed Daily

January 16, 2020/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

New U.S. Geological Survey tool displays where water is – and isn’t – in the Lower 48 states.

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