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, May 13: Army Corps Eyes New Lake-Dredging Technique for Kansas Reservoir Filling with Sediment

May 13, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Army Corps plans to evaluate a novel dredging project in a Kansas reservoir. Bureau of Reclamation finalizes a two-year water management plan for main Colorado River reservoirs. Texas senators introduce Rio Grande legislation. Reclamation awards $148 million for drought resiliency projects in the western states. Ohio county and city sue EPA over Lake […]

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, May 6: White House Issues Cybersecurity Memo for Critical Infrastructure

May 6, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Protecting water systems and other critical infrastructure is the heart of a Biden administration cybersecurity plan. EPA memo details requirements for states and tribes when using federal funds to replace lead drinking water pipes. EPA moves to protect tribal fishing rights when states set water quality standards for rivers and lakes. FDA finalizes […]

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, April 29: Coal Power Plant Pollution Limits and Wetlands Restoration Pledge

April 29, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Biden administration restricts power plant pollution and aims to restore millions of acres of wetlands. Federal health and weather agencies develop a tool to forecast heat risk to human health. Bureau of Reclamation finds insufficient river sediment to do a high-flow water release this spring from Glen Canyon Dam. Two federal agencies sign […]

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, April 22: EPA Designates Two PFAS as Hazardous Substances

April 22, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA designation for PFOA and PFOS is meant to facilitate hazardous site cleanup. Water bills in Congress focus on shielding water utilities from PFAS cleanup costs, rural household water filters, and low-income water bill assistance. Biden administration releases a global health security strategy. CDC hosts its flagship disease detection conference this week with […]

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, April 15: EPA Limits Six PFAS in Drinking Water

April 15, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA sets first national drinking water standards for PFAS. Justice Department finds Canadian energy company is “liable for trespass” in continuing to operate an oil pipeline on a northern Wisconsin tribe’s land. Department of Energy water research hub receives more funding to investigate water treatment technology. Justice Department also settles a Clean 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, April 8: Western U.S. Snowpack Is High and Low

April 8, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Reclamation provides funds for tribal drinking water projects and solar panels at irrigation canals. EPA financial advisers will meet this week to discuss water affordability and federal infrastructure investment. States and tribes request extensions for spending household water bill assistance funds. Western mountain snowpack is a tale of two regions at the end […]

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, April 1: EPA Plans National Study of PFAS Entering, Exiting Municipal Sewage Treatment Facilities

April 1, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA intends to gather data on PFAS coming into and out of municipal sewage plants. House passes infrastructure permitting bill opposed by the White House. Western U.S. hydropower generation dropped to a 22-year low last year. Defense Department finalizes a rule restricting PFAS in firefighting foam. EPA enlists states in effort to protect […]

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 25: Plants for Energy: DOE Assesses Biomass Potential

March 25, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown DOE report estimates biomass potential for energy production – and assumes careful stewardship of water to achieve it. Federal officials engage state governors on water utility cybersecurity. NOAA forecasters warn of water scarcity once again this fall in the lower Mississippi River. EPA watchdog finds cost overruns and delays for Gowanus Canal Superfund […]

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

World Water Day Reflects on Conflict, Peace

March 22, 2024/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Unreliable water is a significant social risk.

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

Can U.S and Mexico Secure Water Supplies in Shrinking Rio Grande?

March 19, 2024/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Changes are needed in 80-year-old water treaty to accommodate the drying climate.

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 18: Spy Agencies See Water, Climate as National Security Risks

March 18, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown U.S. spy agencies release global threat assessment, highlighting water and climate. Eight states broke heat records during a warm winter. U.S. and Canadian governments ask a binational commission to intervene on worsening water pollution from mining in a cross-border watershed. EPA watchdog recommends a more thorough review for overseeing water infrastructure dollars sent […]

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 13, 2024: Cambodia Canal Proposal Could Harm Mekong Delta

March 13, 2024/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

A proposed $1.7 billion canal in Cambodia would link a coastal port to a Mekong River tributary.

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

Author Archive for: Brett

About Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton