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, October 16: EPA Pulls Cybersecurity Plan for Water Utilities

October 16, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The White House suspends environmental laws to build Mexican border wall. The EPA abandons plan to mandate cybersecurity check-up for water utilities. FEMA opens applications for $1 billion in climate resilience grants. The GAO details state and local spending of pandemic relief funds. A Senate committee will hold a hearing on the Supreme […]

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, October 9: Supreme Court Returns with Big Case on Regulatory Authority

October 9, 2023/in Federal Water Tap, Water News/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Supreme Court begins its fall term and agency regulatory authority is a key issue. The Army Corps begins barging fresh water to southern Louisiana as the area contends with salt water in the Mississippi River. President Biden’s proclamation on Child Health Day mentions nitrate, arsenic, and lead in drinking water. EPA science […]

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, October 2: Federal Commission Identifies Needs for Protecting Water from Wildfire Damage

October 2, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown A federal wildfire commission highlights the need to protect water supplies from high-severity fires. The White House issues a disaster declaration for saltwater intrusion in Louisiana. GAO report details earmark spending in fiscal year 2023. EPA allocates funds to train workers for water sector jobs. EPA watchdog questions the agency’s handling of Great […]

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

Clock Ticks for Water Utilities to Join National PFAS Settlements

September 27, 2023/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Decision needed soon for funds to remove toxic chemicals from drinking 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, September 25: Army Corps Begins to Raise Underwater Barrier in Mississippi River to Hold Back Saltwater

September 25, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Army Corps responds to low Mississippi River levels in Louisiana that threaten drinking water. EPA announces WIFIA water infrastructure money for 2023 and technical assistance funds for disadvantaged communities. The National Park Service endorses a swamp in southeast Georgia as a potential World Heritage Site. The Justice Department limits attorney’s fees for Camp […]

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 18: Survey Data Shows Households Behind on Water Bills

September 18, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Interagency working group recommends changes to federal mining laws. EPA drinking water infrastructure report to Congress includes new data on lead service lines. CDC researchers use wastewater to track influenza and RSV. NOAA expects El Niño to extend at least through March 2024. Senate hearings this week on drought and water, and tribal […]

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 11: EPA Slow to Intervene When Lead Found In Michigan City’s Drinking Water, Watchdog Says

September 11, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA’s internal watchdog assesses the agency’s response to high lead levels in a Michigan city’s drinking water. NOAA scientists review last year’s changes in the planet’s climate systems. The U.S. Geological Survey outlines a research program for freshwater mussels in the U.S. EPA tentatively agrees on a timeline for regulating water pollution […]

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

Chicago Suburbs, Running Out of Water, Will Tap Lake Michigan

September 6, 2023/in Water News/by Brett Walton

America’s groundwater is now running dry where water is abundant.

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 5: EPA Reduces Wetlands Protections in Accordance with Supreme Court Decision

September 5, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA and Army Corps revise the protected wetlands definition to align with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision. White House advisory group recommends a federal Department of Water. EPA approves an on-site wastewater treatment facility for the East Palestine train derailment cleanup. Federal transportation regulator considers defining when pipeline accidents cause “significant injury […]

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 28: NOAA Updates High Tide Flood Forecast Tool

August 28, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Department of Energy funds research for using oilfield wastewater to produce hydrogen. The EPA Office of the Inspector General says the agency needs clearer guidance on calculating cumulative impacts of pollution. When Congress returns next month, the farm bill will be top of the agenda. A bill in Congress would reform 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

‘Water Is Us’: New Book Offers Blueprint for Sustainable Water Future

August 23, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

The Three Ages of Water looks back at history to write a prescription for tomorrow.

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 Water Transition: A Conversation with Author Peter Gleick

August 22, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Discussing the past and future of 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

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About Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton