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

California Farms Use How Much Water? Nobody Really Knows

May 19, 2015/in Agriculture, California, California Drought, Groundwater, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

No comprehensive data exist on agricultural water consumption.

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 18: Colorado River Basin Report Examines Water Solutions

May 18, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Conservation is the talk of the Colorado River Basin, but saving water is not a cure-all. A solar power proposal in Nevada would use no water. The USDA hands out water conservation grants, while the Bureau of Reclamation offers money for drought planning. Legal charges in North Carolina coal ash spill. Alabama sues […]

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

Gila River Diversion in New Mexico Pits New West vs Old

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

Debate demonstrates the power of water in the drying American West.

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 11: EPA Recommends Health Standards for Toxic Algae in Drinking Water

May 11, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA issues toxic algae guidelines. A California congressman wants to block federal spending on river flows in his home state. Commenters want more protection for drinking water from federal oil-by-rail rules. Irrigation in the mid-Atlantic is concentrated on a peninsula. Nevada uses less Colorado River water. Asian carp won’t go hungry in 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

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Receives Temporary Dam

May 9, 2015/in California, California Drought, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

Rock barriers will deflect saltwater intrusion in California’s most important water body.

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 4: U.S. Hydropower Capacity Increases

May 4, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown State Department makes climate change a top diplomatic priority. The Energy Department crunches the numbers on U.S. hydropower while a coal power plant sees new life. A new plan for California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is announced. President Obama threatens to veto a water spending bill. “In recent years, extremist environmental groups have increased […]

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

Alaska Bulk Water Shipments to California Proposed

April 29, 2015/in California, California Drought, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

Despite a signed contract, Sitka city officials say the real test is whether water is actually delivered.

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 Water Restrictions Still Target Lawns

April 29, 2015/in California, California Drought, Water News/by Brett Walton

Few substantial changes to the latest version of conservation regulations.

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 Water Restrictions Generate Flood of Resistance

April 27, 2015/in California, California Drought, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

Cities object to mandatory limits on water use.

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 27: House Committee Approves $US 35 Billion in Water and Energy Funding

April 27, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown More money for the Army Corps of Engineers. Major deficiencies in environmental oversight in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Prize money for renewable-energy desalination and a potential source of funding for sewage treatment upgrades in the Great Lakes. EPA’s science board reviews drinking water contaminants and looks for new members. An EPA water infrastructure […]

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

Price of Water 2015: Up 6 Percent in 30 Major U.S. Cities; 41 Percent Rise Since 2010

April 22, 2015/in California, California Drought, Infrastructure, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

As urban water use declines, utilities change business models. Graphic © Kaye LaFond / Circle of Blue Water, sewer, and stormwater prices for 30 major U.S. cities in 2015. Click for a high-resolution file. By Brett Walton Circle of Blue In the decade following World War Two, America’s cities, resurgent from an economic depression 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, April 20: 2015 Begins with Record Heat

April 20, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The first quarter of 2015 breaks a global heat record. Lawmakers and regulators argue about water while the EPA publishes timetables for coal ash regulations. California water managers propose temporary dams to help with salinity in the state’s hydrologic choke point. “We are going to get it over the finish line…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

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About Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton