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

America’s Spreading Septic Threat

October 15, 2015/in Groundwater, Infrastructure, North America, Pollution, Water News/by Brett Walton

Failing septic systems produce disease outbreaks, algae blooms, and ecosystem damage. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue There are 123 million households in the United States. Nearly one-fifth of them — some 21.5 million — do not flush toilet waste to a public sewer. They use septic systems — small underground tanks that provide basic treatment […]

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

Healthy Soils Reduce Water Pollution

October 13, 2015/in Groundwater, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

Absorbent soils yields big benefits for air and water. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue NORMAN, Oklahoma — On a bright October morning in a hotel parking lot, Greg Scott turns on the rainfall simulator. The machine’s swiveling nozzle sprays fat drops on five soil samples held in trays a few feet below. Some soil […]

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 12: Federal Court Puts EPA Clean Water Rule on Hold

October 12, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Clean Water Act legal saga continues. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds a drought hearing. The Army Corps of Engineers publishes a list of deauthorized water projects while the Justice Department decides to fight a flood liability lawsuit in New Orleans on behalf of the corps. The Obama administration will take […]

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 5: EPA Sets First Water Pollution Limits on Toxic Metals from Steam Electric Power Plants

October 5, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA issues first water pollution limits for toxic metals from steam electric plants and adds four groundwater sites to Superfund. EPA and pipeline regulators settle pollution cases. GAO analyzes Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding. USGS researchers keep an eye on California groundwater levels. USAID says water is a pillar in reducing extreme […]

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 5: EPA Sets First Water Pollution Limits on Toxic Metals from Steam Electric Power Plants

October 5, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

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 28: U.S.-China Meeting Gives Lift to Climate Change Talks

September 28, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown President Xi Jinping visits Washington. A smaller backlog for drinking water infrastructure spending, but dollars still sit in the bank. A new treatment facility for the Gold King mine, and legislation to compensate for damages. New reports look at global food security and the Columbia Plateau Aquifer. Without congressional action, the Land and […]

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 28: U.S.-China Meeting Gives Lift to Climate Change Talks

September 28, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

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

Here Comes the Sea: The Struggle to Keep the Ocean out of California’s Coastal Aquifers

September 23, 2015/in California, California Drought, Groundwater, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

Farm districts preserve fresh groundwater with recycled wastewater

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 21: EPA Agrees To Update Stormwater Pollution Rules

September 21, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown National stormwater rules are coming in 2016 as the EPA settles lawsuit with two green groups. Meanwhile, an Interior Department settlement forgives a big debt for a big California irrigation district. The EPA requires billions in sewer upgrades but does not track the success of the projects. A California recycled water project gets […]

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 21: EPA Agrees To Update Stormwater Pollution Rules

September 21, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

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

California Groundwater Law Tests State’s Capacity to Oversee A Vital Resource

September 16, 2015/in Agriculture, California, California Drought, Groundwater, North America, Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

A year after passage, California begins building a new regulatory infrastructure Photo © Brett Walton / Circle of Blue Sprinklers irrigate a field of cauliflower outside Watsonville, in California’s Pajaro Valley. This region relies almost exclusively on groundwater to produce some of the most valuable fruit and vegetable harvests in the United States. By Brett […]

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 14: El Nino To Increase Tidal Flooding This Winter

September 14, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Higher seas, higher tides: more floods, says NOAA analysis. EPA criticizes a Colorado reservoir proposal. GAO finds more water recycling in oil fields. A Great Lakes senator says ‘Clean up the Great Lakes!’ Congressional hearings on Gold King mine spill and western drought are on the calendar. EPA Inspector General begins investigation of […]

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