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 18: Agencies Call Attention To Cyber Threats Against Water Utilities

October 18, 2021 /0 Comments/in Federal Water Tap /by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal agencies warn water utilities about the risks of cyberattacks. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decides that an odd-looking Colorado River fish is no longer endangered. USDA distributes $272 million in grants and low-interest loans for rural water and sewer systems. The EPA releases a report on monitoring wastewater for SARS-CoV-2. Senators […]

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 11: White House, Reversing Trump, Proposes Environmental Review Changes

October 11, 2021 /0 Comments/in Federal Water Tap /by Brett Walton

The Rundown The White House intends to change the policies that govern environmental review of major federal actions. EPA nominates a new head of Region 5, which covers many of the Great Lakes states. The EPA provides grant funding to investigate the human health risks of pollutants in treated sewage sludge. The EPA and USDA […]

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 Groups Lauded a Side Agreement at the Paris Climate Conference. Then It Languished.

October 5, 2021 /0 Comments/in Water News, WEF /by Brett Walton

The fate of the Paris Pact reveals the difficulties in incorporating water into global climate agreements.

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 4: Supreme Court Starts October Term with Groundwater Case

October 4, 2021 /0 Comments/in Federal Water Tap /by Brett Walton

The Rundown For the first time, the Supreme Court will hear arguments over a groundwater dispute, in this case between Mississippi and Tennessee. Congress adds $28.6 billion in disaster aid, plus money for drought response and California water projects, to a bill that keeps the federal government operating through December 3. The U.S. Geological Survey […]

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 27: New Projections Show High Risks for Colorado River Reservoirs

September 27, 2021 /0 Comments/in Federal Water Tap /by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Bureau of Reclamation releases five-year projections for lakes Mead and Powell. The EPA Administrator discusses farm issues with state agricultural regulators. The GAO says Congress should work on a permanent fix for the nation’s spent commercial nuclear fuel. And lastly, foreign affairs agencies will update their global water strategy. “The latest outlook […]

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

In Climate Talks, Plans to Keep Planet from Overheating Should Not Ignore Water

September 23, 2021 /0 Comments/in Water News, WEF /by Brett Walton

Carbon-reduction plans, if not well designed, can worsen water scarcity and 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

Toxin Levels Spike, Prompting Drinking Water Emergency in Northern California

September 22, 2021 /0 Comments/in Water News, WEF /by Brett Walton

Cyanotoxins in the state’s second-largest freshwater lake soared this month amid a hot, dry summer.

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, September 21, 2021: National Pledges to Cut Carbon Emissions Are Too Timid, UN Says

September 21, 2021 /0 Comments/in The Stream /by Brett Walton

YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN UN report reveals national carbon-reduction pledges are inadequate to prevent catastrophic warming. Minnesota regulators fine Enbridge $3.3 million for environmental violations while building the Line 3 oil pipeline. Climate change slows global farm productivity. A month after a toxic waste spill from an Angola diamond mine poisoned rivers in the Democratic Republic […]

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 20: House Committee Approves $30 Billion to Remove Lead Drinking Water Pipes

September 20, 2021 /0 Comments/in Federal Water Tap /by Brett Walton

The Rundown House Democratic leaders propose $30 billion in a budget reconciliation package for removing lead drinking water pipes. The budget reconciliation package includes money for school drinking water, colonias, areas affected by disasters, and aid to households to pay their water bills. The EPA alters its permitting guidance for pollution of surface water via […]

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 Opportunity Is Now’: Water Advocates View Upcoming UN Climate Conference as Moment of Relevance

September 15, 2021 /0 Comments/in Water News, WEF /by Brett Walton

Water was overlooked in past global climate talks. Advocates are focusing on the Glasgow meeting to highlight water’s indispensable climate role.

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 13: EPA Resumes Work to Block Alaskan Mine That Threatens Salmon

September 13, 2021 /0 Comments/in Federal Water Tap /by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA intends to resume the process of blocking a proposed mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed. The EPA says it will limit discharges of PFAS chemicals and nutrients from certain industries. The EPA proposes 13 sites for the Superfund list. The CDC wants to continue collecting data on SARS-Cov-2 in wastewater for […]

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

‘Eyes in the Sky’ Help Police California Water Use

September 9, 2021 /0 Comments/in Water News, WEF /by Brett Walton

Satellite data is one monitoring tool regulators turn to in this very dry year.

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

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