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, December 9: Congress Has Unfinished, Last-Minute Business

December 9, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Congress still has a budget, disaster relief, Arizona tribal water rights settlements, and flood insurance reauthorization to complete in the coming weeks. EPA publishes more data from utilities that are testing drinking water for unregulated contaminants such as certain forever chemicals. House and Senate agree on legislation to authorize Army Corps water 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

On the Frontlines of Climate Violence: A Conversation with Author Peter Schwartzstein

December 4, 2024/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Climate shocks can lead to violent disruptions.

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, December 2: U.S. Agencies Inaugurate Satellite Data Program for Central America

December 2, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown U.S. oil production hit a record monthly high in August. CBO forecasts an 8 percent decline in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade. Defense Department will host its annual conference on environmental research and innovation this week. USAID and NASA will launch a program in Central America this week to provide […]

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, November 25: White House Requests $98 Billion for Disaster Relief

November 25, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown White House requests $98 billion to respond to disasters stretching back more than two years. Bureau of Reclamation unveils five proposals to evaluate for Colorado River water supply. EPA study finds a common water utility communication method does not prompt customers to take a requested action. Senate releases its version of the farm […]

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

Brackish Groundwater Is No Easy Water Solution for Arizona

November 19, 2024/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Substantial impediments to using state’s large reserves of slightly salty groundwater.

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, November 18: Most of Country’s Hazardous Waste Sites Exposed to Climate Risks

November 18, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown GAO maps hazardous waste facilities at risk from climate change. EPA watchdog identifies U.S. water utilities with cybersecurity vulnerabilities. NOAA publishes final assessment on a record-early Lake Erie harmful algal bloom. Defense Department research program seeks proposals for PFAS remediation in groundwater. NRCS finalizes a plan to decommission and breach nine aging dams […]

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, November 11: USDA Survey Reveals Declines and Shifts in Farm Irrigation

November 11, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown USDA survey shows U.S. farms irrigated less land with less total water than five years ago – but used more groundwater. U.S. and Mexico sign Rio Grande water delivery agreement. EPA issues an emergency order for drinking water system failures by a California water company. Reclamation agrees to extend the deadline for Navajo […]

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, November 4: White House Science Advisers Approve Groundwater Report

November 4, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown White House science advisers approve a report to the president on national groundwater security. White House also hosts a meeting of business and government leaders on water security and climate resilience. EPA publishes annual reviews of the state revolving funds for water infrastructure. NOAA begins accepting applications for grants to remove in-stream barriers […]

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 28: EPA Used ‘Flawed Data’ to Allocate Lead Pipe Removal Funds, Watchdog Says

October 28, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA watchdog criticizes agency’s survey to allocate lead service line removal funds. CDC seeks approval to gather data to track outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis, a waterborne disease. Federal and state agencies begin an environmental assessment of a key electricity transmission project that would link the country’s eastern and western grids. Federal ag research agency […]

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 21: Supreme Court Hears Another Clean Water Act Case

October 21, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown NOAA releases winter outlook for U.S. weather, sees probable La Niña effects. GSA targets federal contractors for a voluntary climate risk survey. Army Corps holds a ceremony to inaugurate a flood-protection project to raise homes in southwest Louisiana. USGS researchers publish studies on produced water, pesticides in Alabama groundwater, and hurricane impacts 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

2024 Election: State and Local Voters Consider Tax Increases for Water Protection

October 17, 2024/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Funds would provide for land and water conservation.

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 15: Ten-Year Deadline for Most Lead Pipe Removal

October 15, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Biden administration revises federal rules for lead in drinking water, setting a national deadline. Meanwhile, an EPA deadline for water utilities to submit lead pipe inventories arrives this week. CDC and local officials in San Diego investigate health impacts from cross-border sewage in Tijuana River. EPA plans to survey large wastewater plants nationally […]

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