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
Brian, you're right in many ways. Total U.S water withdrawals peaked in the 1980s even as population and GDP continue…
On ‘The Need Is Significant’: Fast-Growing Michigan County Confronts Groundwater Challenges
Binayak, as with many studies it's important to note what variables are measured. In this case, the researchers defined water…
On Study: Water Stress Affects Fewer Cities Than Previously Thought
Lee Ann, I mention a thirsty oil and gas industry as one of the problems that Texas faces. It is,…
On Central Texas Drought Is Worst on Record
David, there are couple instances in which a dam removal "swap" was part of the FERC relicensing process, in which…
On Pace of U.S. Dam Removals Accelerates
Henrique, In its list of dams that were removed in 2014, American Rivers describes, when known, the purpose, type, and…
On Pace of U.S. Dam Removals Accelerates
Brad, the data, as you point out, are not perfect. There is a lot of indirect accounting and reverse engineering…
On USGS Report: California Freshwater Withdrawals Are Lowest Since 1960s
Ronald, The price per gallon often varies depending on how many gallons a household uses. Prices are usually stated per…
On Price of Water 2014: Up 6 Percent in 30 Major U.S. Cities; 33 Percent Rise Since 2010
David, I haven't dug deeply into actions to reduce non-revenue water (NRW), but a sidebar on my 2011 water prices…
On Price of Water 2014: Up 6 Percent in 30 Major U.S. Cities; 33 Percent Rise Since 2010
Bob, The numbers from the study are averages - both for an average household (as defined by each utility) and…
On U.S. Sewer Costs Increase 5.5 Percent in 2013, Industry Survey Reveals
Amy, these prices are just for water. We did a sewer survey in 2010 but have not updated it since:…
On Price of Water 2014: Up 6 Percent in 30 Major U.S. Cities; 33 Percent Rise Since 2010