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, April 4: EPA Reaffirms Decision Not to Regulate Rocket Fuel Chemical in Drinking Water

April 4, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA maintains a Trump administration decision not to regulate perchlorate in drinking water. The EPA intends to reverse a Trump-era ruling on Washington state water pollution standards related to fish consumption. The EPA also releases a five-year plan with numeric targets for water and other goals. The Bureau of Reclamation announces $420 […]

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, March 28: Sediment Buildup Decreases Lake Powell Storage Capacity

March 28, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal scientists calculate Lake Powell’s loss of storage capacity due to sediment buildup. Financial regulators propose corporate climate disclosure rules. Watchdog agency finds thousands of federally backed home loans in 2020 had inadequate flood insurance. The Army Corps of Engineers considers revising an oil and gas pipeline construction permit due to climate, 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, March 21: U.S. Forest Service Updates Analysis of Forests and Drinking Water

March 21, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The U.S. Forest Service’s Forests to Faucets program re-evaluates the connections between forests and watersheds. Lake Powell dipped below 3,525 feet, a level that water users in the basin intended not to breach. House Democrats propose the creation of a Great Lakes Authority to promote economic development and environmental conservation in the eight-state […]

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

War in Ukraine Lengthens List of Violent Acts over Water

March 17, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

A new report details the rising number of clashes across the planet that are connected to 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, March 14: EPA Tells States to Prioritize Disadvantaged Communities for Water Infrastructure Funds

March 14, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA guidance for implementing the infrastructure bill focuses on disadvantaged communities. The Defense Department says it will close a bulk fuel storage facility on Oahu that is involved in a fuel leak that contaminated drinking water sources. President Biden’s executive order on digital assets requires a report on environmental ramifications of blockchain technologies. […]

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

IPCC Climate Report: Six Key Findings for Water

March 1, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Scientific body warns of ‘rapidly closing window’ for action

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, February 28: EPA Rejects Industry Objections to Chlorpyrifos Rules

February 28, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA rejects industry objections to its restrictions on the pesticide chlorpyrifos. The Interior Department allocates $1.7 billion this year for tribal water rights settlements. The Bureau of Reclamation tells many farmers in California’s Central Valley not to expect irrigation water from federal canals this year. And lastly, House committees hold hearings on […]

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

Risky Drinking Water Pathogen Has Outsized Effect on Black Americans

February 24, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

A new analysis shows that rising Legionnaires’ disease cases disproportionately affect Black Americans and people living in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and New England.

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, February 21: EPA Watchdog Will Investigate Agency’s Drinking Water Lead Response in Michigan City

February 21, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown An EPA watchdog will investigate the agency’s response to drinking water lead contamination in Benton Harbor, Michigan. An EPA local government advisory committee submits recommendations to the agency for carrying out infrastructure investments. The CDC analyzes trends in the rising number of Legionnaires’ disease The EPA revises its methods for assessing the cost […]

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

Billions Flow to Water Systems from Federal Pandemic Relief Funds

February 17, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Passed nearly a year ago, the American Rescue Plan Act is injecting needed funding into aging water and sewer 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

Federal Water Tap, February 14: Budget Proposal Adds $403 Million for Oahu Drinking Water

February 14, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown A budget proposal to keep the government operating includes millions to respond to a fuel leak from an Oahu naval base that contaminated drinking water. The Defense Department appeals a Hawaii state order to drain the fuel tanks at the center of the Oahu drinking water incident. Bipartisan legislation in Congress would update […]

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

Nebraska Agrochemical Contamination Throws Families, Communities, Water Providers into Turmoil

February 9, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

The harrowing trail of toxic nutrients in farm country 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