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, June 15: Obama Administration Offers $US 110 Million for Western Drought Relief

June 15, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The president discusses drought with western governors. More problems, more money for communities affected by drought. NOAA’s National Water Center opens new facility. The USGS tests a water gun. Reclamation releases a new basin study, in Idaho. Columbia River Treaty negotiations will be broader. “Fortunately, this bipartisan legislation will stop the final rule […]

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 Oil Industry’s Wastewater Saga Adds New Twist

June 13, 2015/in California, California Drought, Groundwater, North America, Water & Energy, Water News/by Brett Walton

A lawsuit, an official’s resignation, and failed legislative proposals marked the beginning of June.

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 Court, Despite Drought, Questions Popular Water Pricing Tool

June 11, 2015/in California, California Drought, North America, Water News, Water Pricing/by Brett Walton

Increasing block rates garner closer attention. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue Increasing block rates are a popular pricing tool for encouraging residents to use less water. In California, they are increasingly subjected to legal challenges. Click image to enlarge. By Brett Walton Circle of Blue It was not the sort 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

Water Pricing Story Makes Headlines

June 10, 2015/in Water News/by Brett Walton

The price of water is national news, and Circle of Blue’s Brett Walton is driving the story.

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

Colorado River Basin Conservation Agreements Take Shape

June 8, 2015/in California, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

States look to delay mandatory water restrictions and preserve hydropower generation. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue The Central Arizona Project canal passes groundwater recharge ponds to the north of Scottsdale. The 540-kilometer (336-mile) canal delivers Colorado River water to the interior of Arizona. Click image to enlarge. By Brett Walton Circle […]

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, June 8: Senate Committee Discusses Western Drought

June 8, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Drought and water challenges go beyond California, senators learned. The EPA released a draft study of fracking’s effect on drinking water. House Transportation Committee reviews a water infrastructure bill that was signed last year. Florida and Georgia are urged to settle water dispute. “We need to be as long-term in our view as […]

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

Groundwater Data Bill Passes California Senate

June 4, 2015/in California, California Drought, Groundwater, North America, Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Lawmakers seek to make public a trove of groundwater data.

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 Buyback Limit Proposed for Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin

June 3, 2015/in Australia, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Legislation would redirect the flow of money for water-saving projects.

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, June 1: EPA Offers Many Exemptions in Clean Water Act Rule

June 1, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA made two big regulatory announcements: on the Clean Water Act and biofuels. The EPA also authorized a record loan for wastewater treatment and approved a green infrastructure deal for Washington. Meanwhile, the EPA’s internal watchdog outlined the agency’s management challenges. An environmental review for a California desalination plant will soon begin. […]

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

Amid California Drought, Oil Industry Wastewater Attracts New Scrutiny

May 28, 2015/in California, California Drought, Groundwater, North America, Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

State and federal authorities move to tame use of aquifers as oil field dumps. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue Kern County is the center of California’s oil industry. The industry’s wastewater disposal practices have come under greater scrutiny in the fourth year of California’s drought emergency. Click image to enlarge. By […]

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

Unstable Slopes: Nepal Landslide Highlights Risk to Lives and Infrastructure in Himalayas

May 28, 2015/in Hydropower, South Asia, Water News/by Brett Walton

Triggered by the April 25 earthquake, Kali Gandaki landslide reveals long-term challenges in the world’s highest mountain range.

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 25: Tribal Water Rights Hearing in Senate Committee

May 25, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Senators discussed Indian water rights, while a House committee heard complaints from states over stream protection rule. Western states received $US 50 million for water conservation and recycling. NOAA issued the first algae forecast of the year. Two reports assessed climate adaptation by federal agencies. Yakima River Basin water availability declines. The Senate […]

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