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, March 10: CBO Updates Water Infrastructure Spending Data

March 10, 2025/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown State and local governments still responsible for most U.S. water infrastructure funding, CBO finds. Supreme Court rejects an administration appeal, clearing the way for $2 billion in foreign aid payments for completed work. Federal hurricane forecasts set accuracy record last year. Supreme Court narrows Clean Water Act discharge permits. Monitoring stations register “abysmal” […]

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 3: Low-Income Water Bill Assistance Program Final Report

March 3, 2025/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Health agency publishes a final report on the impact of the first-ever federal water bill assistance program. EPA head wants to toss agency’s basis for regulating carbon pollution. Supreme Court temporarily suspends lower court’s order to resume USAID foreign aid payments. Reclamation sets initial water supply allocations for California’s Central Valley Project, aligning […]

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, February 27, 2025: Drought Contributes to Worsening Hunger in Somalia; Fluoride Bans Gain Momentum in U.S.

February 27, 2025/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

Food insecurity in Somalia is projected to increase in the coming months, with perhaps a quarter of the country experiencing “crisis” levels or worse.

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 24: White House Details Plan for Foreign Investments in the U.S.

February 24, 2025/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The White House pledges faster environmental reviews for foreign investments in the U.S. greater than $1 billion. Senate Commerce Committee targets federally funded science research that has some connection to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Inspector general’s report details how EPA could refine guidance for spending billions in “emerging contaminants” funding. DHS announces panel […]

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

Republican Attack on Science Targets Water Research that Benefits All

February 22, 2025/in Water News/by Brett Walton

National Science Foundation grants have been reviewed for ideological influence.

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 17: House Republicans Move to Overturn Rules on Lead in Drinking Water

February 17, 2025/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA moves to weaken water-efficiency standards for appliances and faucets. Army Corps research center wants to investigate the use of insects to control a water-guzzling grass in southern California. Federal judge orders Trump’s foreign aid freeze unfrozen. Senate Democrats call attention to harm from federal funding suspension. Water bills in Congress would reauthorize […]

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 10: Agencies Continue to Remove Water, Environment Websites

February 10, 2025/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

Brett WaltonBrett 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 […]

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

USAID Shutdown Causes Global Alarm in International Water and Climate Programs

February 4, 2025/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Trump administration’s declared aim is to eliminate U.S. foreign aid 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, February 3: Trump Interferes in California Dam Releases

February 3, 2025/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown President Trump orders water released from California reservoirs. Senate confirms leaders of EPA and Interior. Agencies begin taking down climate and equity web sites. EPA withdraws proposed rules on Florida water quality and industrial PFAS discharge. And lastly, a bill to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is introduced in Congress. “Photo of […]

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

At Phoenix’s Far Edge, a Housing Boom Grasps for Water

January 31, 2025/in Water News/by Brett Walton

More than 1 million people could pour into western Maricopa County in the coming decades – if housing developers can secure the 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, January 27: President Trump Attempts to Remake Environmental Policy through Executive Order

January 27, 2025/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown President Trump issues executive orders on energy production, water supplies, and climate change. Other executive orders target foreign aid, FEMA, and the Paris agreement. In settlement with EPA, California mobile home park operator agrees to fix failing water system. Reclamation publishes a report detailing five options it will analyze for post-2026 Colorado River […]

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, January 20: EPA Identifies Health Risks from PFAS in Biosolids

January 20, 2025/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA releases draft health risk assessment for two PFAS in biosolids. EPA publishes final toxicity review for inorganic arsenic, a naturally occurring drinking water contaminant. USGS releases study on water supply and demand in the Lower 48 states. EPA evaluates environmental impact of federal biofuels mandate. New study assesses potential for floating solar […]

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